(1)
We, women and men from various faith communities, inter-faith organisations
and academic institutions, have met in Glasgow to discuss the process
of developing a “Global Ethic”, its necessity and its prospects,
its existing achie vements and in its relevance for the people of the
United Kingdom in all their diversity. We, the undersigned, make the
following declaration and further offer the suggestions, questions and
inspirations collected in the workshop reports for consideration. (2) At
a time when human beings everywhere discover the increasing inter-relatedness
of all life on earth, the need of affirming a global ethic is evident.
Its need and its difficulties are highlighted by the events of 11 September
and later events and military action. Subsequent to the “Universal
Declaration of Human Rights” (1948), this process of developing
a global ethic emphasizes the need to keep rights and responsibilities
in balance by establishing “a minimal fundamental consensus concerning
binding values, irrevocable standards, and fundamental moral attitudes” (“Declaration
Toward a Global Ethic” adopted by the Parliament of the World's
Religions in Chicago, 4 September 1993).
(3) The basis for such a global ethic has not to be created for it
already exists: There are core values and moral insights which are
held in common across the different philosophical and religious traditions
despite the variety and diversity of beliefs and practices. It was
this common ethical ground which the “Declaration Toward a Global
Ethic” sought to express. We believe that the Chicago Declaration
provides a valuable starting point for further reflection and refinement
of the content of a global ethic.
(4) We endorse the essence of this global ethic which can be stated
as: “Every human being must be treated humanely!” This
demand is unfolded in the most basic moral insight, widely testified
to by the religious and philosophical traditions of humankind, that
you shall not do to others, what you do not wish done to yourself,
or – in positive terms – that you shall do to others, what you wish
done to yourself.
Further we endorse the following four core values as expressive of
this:
“1. Commitment to a culture of non-violence and respect for all
life.”
“2. Commitment to a culture of solidarity and a just economic
order”
“3. Commitment to a culture of tolerance and a life of truthfulness.”
“4. Commitment to a culture of equal rights and partnership between
men and women.”
(5) We are aware that there are moral issues which are difficult to
decide. We know from our own traditions that a clear and unanimous
judgement cannot always and in every ethical question be attained.
However, if ethical discussion and debate is to be fruitful, a consensus
on the most basic ethical principles is desirable. To establish this
consensus serves as an antidote to forms of relativism that undermine
any consciousness of moral obligation.
(6) It is not our intention to reduce religion to ethics nor ethics
to religion. But morality is an indispensable element of religion and
a fundamental basis of social life. Therefore we are convinced that
the affirmation of common ethical principles gives the various relationships
between our different faith-communities a firmer basis for dialogue
and a framework for common action as an important contribution to the
foundations of our societies.
(7) We commit ourselves to promoting reflection and discussion within
our faith communities and organisations on the content of a global
ethic. The Chicago Declaration of 1993 can be of great help towards
that aim. The awareness of shared moral values should serve as a cornerstone
of all future interactions between our communities
|