________________
A CALL TO OUR GUIDING INSTITUTIONS
DECEMBER
9
9
TOWARDS A GLOBAL ETHIC
AN INITIAL DECLARATION
But this agony need not be.
he world is in agony. The agony is so pervasive and
urgent that we are compelled to name its manifestations so that the depth of this pain may be made clear.
It need not be because the basis for an ethic already exists. This ethic offers the possibility of a better individual and global order, and leads individuals away from despair and societies away from chaos.
Peace eludes us ... the planet is being destroyed ... neighbors live in fear ... women and men are estranged from each other ... children die!
We are women and men who have embraced the precepts and practices of the world's religions:
This is abhorrent!
We condemn the abuses of Earth's ecosystems.
We affirm that a common set of core values is found in the teachings of the religions, and that these form the basis of a global ethic. We affirm that this truth is already known, but yet to be lived in heart and action.
We condemn the poverty that stifles life's potential; the hunger that weakens the human body; the economic disparities that threaten so many families with ruin.
We condemn the social disarray of the nations, the disregard for justice which pushes citizens to the margin; the anarchy overtaking our communities; and the insane death of children from violence. In particular we condemn aggression and hatred in the name of religion.
We affirm that there is an irrevocable, unconditional norm for all areas of life, for families and communities, for races, nations, and religions. There already exist ancient guidelines for human behavior which are found in the teachings of the religions of the world and which are the condition for a sustainable world order.
1999 PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS
59
Jain Education Interational 2010_03
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