Principles Of A Global Ethic

SR No.: 269592
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Total Pages: 8
Language: English
Classification: Article
File Size: 2 MB

Page 6

1993. Parliament of the World's Religions A Global Ethic * Representatives of religions who dismiss other religions as of little value and who preach fanaticism anc intolerance instead of respect and understanding j! To be authentically human in the spirit of our feat religious and ethical traditions means the ; following: We must utilize econoinic and political power for service to humanily instead of misusing it in mithless battles for clominalion. We must clovelop a spirit of compassion with those who suffer, with special care for the children, the aged, the poor, the clisabled, the resugees, and the lonely. * We must cultivate mutual respect and consideration, so as to reach a rcasonable balance of interests, instead of thinking only of unlimited power and unavoidable competitive struggles. * We must valuie a sense of moderation and inodesty instead of an unquenchable greed for money, prr 'ge, and consumption. In grced humans lose their "SU ," their freedom, their composure, their inner peace, and thus that which makes them lauman. 1) In the great ancient religious and ethical Traditions of humankind we find the directive: foil shall not lic! Or in positive terns: Speak amil ac! truthfully! Let us reflect anew on the consciences of this ancient directive: No woman or man, 10 institution, no state or church or religious community has the right to speak lies to other humans. F b) This is especially truc * for those who work in the mass incdia, to whom we entrust the freedom to report for the sake of truth: and to whom we thus grant the office of guardian. obligation to respect human dignity, human righis, aur fundamental values. They are duly-bound to objectivity, fairness, and the preservation of human dignity. They have no right to intrude into individuals' private spheres, to manipulate public opinion, or to . distort reality; 3. Conmilment to a Culture of Tolerance and a Life of Truthfulness. o for artists, wrilers, and scientists, to whion we' cutrust artistic and academic frecclum. They are not exempt froin general ethical siandards and inusi solve the truth; - Numberless ibinen and men of all regions and religions strive to lead lives of honesty and truthfulness. Nevertheless, all over the world we find endless lics and cleceit, swindlling and hypocrisy, ideology and clemagoguery: * Politicians and business people who use lies as a :: nenis to success; .? Mass incciii whicli sprcad ideological * for the leaders of countries, politiciaus, and political parties, to whom we entrust our own freedoms. When they lie in the laces of their people, when they manipulate the truth, or when they are. guilty of venality or ruthlessness in domestic or foreign affairs, they forsake their credibility and deserve to lose their offices and their voters. Conversely, publie opinion should support those politicians who dare io. speak tlie truth to the people at all times; misinformation 'ijstcacl of information, cynical commercial interest, instead of loyalty to the truth; : Scientists arid researchers wlio give themselves ; over to morally questionable ideological or political :. programs or to cconomic interest groups, or who .. justify research which violates fundamental ethical ::: valucs; * finally, for representatives of religion. When loy stir up prejudice, hatred, and enmily towards those of c!ifferent belief, or even incite or legitimize religious wars, they deserve the condemnation of humankind and the loss of their adherents. Lct no one be deceivec: There is no global justice: without truthfulness and humaneness! -7