Would you support the following 'Charter for Compassion' ?

“The Charter is based on a principle embraced by every faith, and by every moral code. It is often referred to as The Golden Rule. The Council of Conscience, a multi-faith, multi-national group of religious thinkers and leaders, reviewed and sorted through all the world’s contributions to craft the final Charter. They continue to be vigorous supporters and advocates for the Charter and its message. Karen Armstrong won the TED Prize and made her wish to have the TED community help her create, launch, and propagate a Charter for Compassion. TED is a global set of conferences, formed to disseminate “ideas worth spreading”.

The Charter for Compassion is a document that transcends religious, ideological, and national difference. Supported by leading thinkers from many traditions, the Charter activates the Golden Rule around the world.

http://charterforcompassion.org/site/

CHARTER FOR COMPASSION

“The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the center of our world and put another there, and to honor the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.

It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.

We therefore call upon all men and women

- to restore compassion to the center of morality and religion

- to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate

- to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures

- to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity

- to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.

We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensible to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.”

People around the world are acting compassionately, yet separately.

What are your views on this Charter? Would you consider supporting it? How much can it really accomplish (keeping in mind that TED helps promoting it)?