Karen Armstrong's invitation to the world to begin writing today, a Charter for Compassion, strikes me as well-intentioned silliness at best. At worst it is a more benign form of the same religious arrogance which she decries and which lies at the root of the violence and hatred which religious faith can and does inspire in people of every faith.
Perhaps that response lacks compassion for Ms. Armstrong. But the stakes are simply too high to allow ourselves a Kum-ba-yah moment when what we need is something far more sophisticated and powerful. In a world filled with faith-driven hate and violence, simply appealing to something as amorphous as compassion will not do the job.
Ms. Armstrong's assumption that there is only one definition of compassion and that it is hers is just wrong. I have never met anyone who is opposed to compassion in theory, including people of virtually every faith who are engaged in violence against those who do not share their faith. Such individuals believe in compassion as much as you and I. But they also believe that their faith provides exceptions and exemptions, and therein lays the rub.
I know, because I was once one of those warriors for God. I carried a gun in one hand and a holy book in the other as I set about fulfilling the world of God in the land of Israel. I also considered myself a very compassionate person, but that compassion did not keep me from doing things about which I am anything but proud.
The people, against whom the faithful are at war, do not "deserve" compassion according to the tradition, as understood by these warriors for God. So getting them to commit to compassion is not likely to change anything. The real work involves how each group deals with those who they believe have run afoul of the faith - of those who have offended the faithful.
And so, what we really need is not a charter about how we ought to feel about others, to which all will attach their names and then begin making exceptions. What we need is an agreement about how we understand our own belief, how to practice the kind of modesty which assures that we not seek the destruction of those with whom we have genuine difference.
Before we start engaging people in grand declarations about how they ought to feel, I would settle for a year of teaching the faithful in every community about the sacredness of modesty, humility questioning, and even doubt as expressions of real faith. When people experience that posture as rooted in the depths of the tradition they love, be it a faith, philosophy or politics, fewer people around the world will die in the names of those traditions. That would be more than enough for most of us, I think, at least for now.
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Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
I believe your post about Karen Armstrong is misguided. She is a tremendous theologian and religious historian and she is acting on her beliefs. Instead of criticizing her, please contact her and join the charter. Religions now more than ever need to follow the ideas of compassion.
"And so, what we really need is not a charter about how we ought to feel about others, to which all will attach their names and then begin making exceptions. What we need is an agreement about how we understand our own belief, how to practice the kind of modesty which assures that we not seek the destruction of those with whom we have genuine difference"
I've heard and read some of her interviews and she agrees with that statement. As a christian I must strive to honestly "work out my salvation with fear and trembling" in all areas of my faith. And part of that means understanding Jesus's teaching on compassion and how does that work in our modern world. We could still learn much from Jesus's stories such as when he answers the question of "who is thy neighbor" and he tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. It realy is an amazing story of compassion. Jesus using a Samaritan and a Jew together in the story. The time, energy, and care the samaritan took.
Folks...please remember that the reason there is such a call for compassion is because our human egos and our active participation in it(and some more than others) has created our worldly experience which right now consists of a lot of greed and war. You forget how powerful we can be...to create such a world. We also have the power to choose peace and compassion. To forgive another for murdering a loved one is the most couragous thing you can do. Can you imagine what that murderer would think if you reacted out of love rather than hate? Where can you REALLY make the difference? When you give an angry person compassion, when you look in their eyes and see God under all the layers of fear, when you break through the wall and see them start to re-think their actions.
Nobody said this would be easy my friends....in fact...it may be the very hardest thing you will ever do!
Think about it.
Blessings to all
This was the first of Rabbi Hirschfield's commentaries I've read, and I'm surprised that he would take such a negative view of another's efforts to promote justice and healing. I'm beyond taking sides on issues of faith...that is an anachronistic tactic, and what good has it done us in the past? Readers who wish to hear Karen Armstrong make her points should go to The Bill Moyers Journal website
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal
and search for his interview with her. He's curious, skeptical, and their conversation is enlightening.
Dear Rabbi
I am surprised in this day when any learned man demeans the intelligence of
a woman with a word like "silly" and makes light of a call to compassion.
I have been told that one of the world's
greatest rabbis has said "compassion is the subject and all the rest is
commentary."
I write to you from Chautauqua were thousands of all faiths and of none are
gathered for a week dedicated to the study of compassion and where Karen
Armstrong will deliver an address on Friday that will be seen by folks around
the world.
This is deeply ecumenical. It is a call to contemplation and action, to justice and to peace making, to deeds not just creeds,
to live passionately with compassion for all. It is a call to "do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with
God." (Micah 6:8) This Charter for Compassion has received input from people all around the world,
from all faith traditions, nationalities and backgrounds.
TED is supporting this international project. On September 27 Karen Armstrong will be joined by
Desmond Tutu and by the Dalai Lama to discuss the Charter of Compassion at an international peace summit.
There will be a global celebration on Nov 12. It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
Peace to all--Live passionately with compassion for all,
Robert
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