All believers of God must ask themselves one simple question; Do I truly know and love God with all my heart, mind, strength and soul? If so, what compassionate deeds have I done? If one's answer is less than affirmative, then one needs to search oneself deeply as to why one is less than compassionate. Seek spiritual renewal if necessary.

The Charter for Compassion calls each and every congregant to rediscover the golden rule in their own religion. It is by living the golden rule within our own tradition and giving it primacy within our lives that we will discover we have nothing to fear from other beliefs. Rather we will discover a common humanity and a new and deeper understanding of our own tradition. Congregants of every persuasion should demand that their religious leaders stress the importance of charity and absolute respect for all others. Any denigration of others, just because they are others must become unacceptable and seen for what it is: an unreligious act.

Compassion is love is God. Since we create our own reality, being rather than doing just becomes each of us. Living love could be a statement brought about by individuals to their community, religions, family. We are still all one.

When congregating, the individuals involved can do much more than demand religious leadership which stresses compassion. They can schedule 'compassion sessions' within each service and gathering, wherein each individual takes the time to get to the know the needs and lacks of those around them. A need which cannot be filled by just one may be able to be filled by a group. There is a great fear just now of asking our fellow creatures what they need, but exercising the function will, as with all fears, bring to light the emminent practicality and ease with which such congregational 'sessions' can be experienced and their indicated services fulfilled.

Members of religious congregations are the human foundation of all religions. No matter how high and noble the principles of any religion may be, they are worthless if not applied in real life by real people. Therefore, it is the sacred responsibility of congregants of all religious faiths, denominations and traditions to * Act upon the teachings of their religious leaders when they urge compassionate, loving and merciful behavior toward fellow human beings; * Encourage their religious leaders to invite all types of people into the congregation and embrace them with love, even if they do not fit the profile of most of the members and may be difficult for some to accept as an equal; * Leave or refuse to support religious congregations that are led by intolerant and fanatical preachers, and seek out other congregations to attend and support which are based on the values of mutual respect, understanding, and compassion for all.

The spirit of any congregation is to be," let us come together and think about the ultimate goal of our existence and how we can make of our life a means for realizing that goal." That is what the spiritual teacher Master Ali Rafea says on contemplating the holy verses of the Qur’an: "Say: ‘O People of the Book! Come to common principles as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him . . .’(HQ: 3: 64)" The holy verse "that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah" implies that no one has the right to claim that Allah is on his side alone, or that the law of the Divine is confined to what he understands solely. Nor should anyone think that the Sublime Law is reflected exclusively in the laws that he enforces. The holy statement, "come to common principles as between you and us", points to the ‘awareness’ that a pure nature would reach for itself. It is not the primary goal of the Islamic Call that all people turn into one and the same image or limit themselves to one understanding. Rather, the main objective is to give the chance to all humans, everywhere and in all times, to find truth, to discern their primordial nature, and to realize the essence of religion. When they are content with that essence, they will make their way to it. The issue is not one of names, rather, it is how a person can discern the law of Life and benefit from the Books of Allah and the Messengers of Allah that which would complement and refine what he already believes. Names and labels will remain, because we live in a world of names and labels.

Followers of a faith should make certain that they have considered the compassionate teachings of their tradition. In all religious traditions, compassionate acts are required and favored. Those whose faith is in science should not ignore the evidence of the power of compassion to make your life and the life of the community better. Avoid simply receiving information about your chosen faith, and act compassionately as your faith requires.

This section (and the youth section) bug me quite a bit as worded in the initial draft. I think the fundamental issue is this: will the wording help bridge gaps or will it cause more separation? Challenging congregants to "demand" from religious leaders gives unscrupulous leaders the opportunity to argue that the charter seeks to take over their leadership role. Similarly, the phrasing in the youth section that they should be "mobilized if their elders are unwilling" sounds like a call to arms. I worry about the possibility of a call for compassion being used to instigate violence. An alternative is proposed in another post.

Congregants may define themselves as being of this or that faith, but it will be their actions that define them in the eyes of others. That will always be the greatest test. So let believers in the power of compassion first pause to take stock of what lies in their heart... for one can not give what one does not have. ...take as much time as is necessary!

Unfortunately, many (if not most) of the world's congregants are not free to express themselves openly without being subject to a variety of punishments or even death, thus, those of us who are able to do so need to recognize our great good fortune and use it with wisdom and skill to effect change within our ranks. Submitting the completed "Charter for Compassion" to our leaders, be they religious or secular (includes CEOs, atheists, politicians, etc.) for their approval, endorsement, and/or as an ethical/moral standard to adopt as a guideline to policies, actions, and so forth, if done skillfully, without malice or punitiveness, could turn many of our leaders around.

should feel empowered to address their religious leaders on the subjects of the importance of charity and respect for all others; any denigration of others, however slight, must be unacceptable and seen for what it is: an unreligious act.

Compassion is often expressed as a feeling, attitude, belief, or intention. Compassion, however, demands living acts or it will die. Each person may look around, count the resources at hand, find the present need; then act compassionately to mend and restore. The tasks may be small and close or part of something large and well-organized, but once we set ourselves the task and do it, compassion, itself, grows and expands -- stronger, braver and central to our experience.

should feel empowered to demand that their religious leaders stress the importance of offering hospitality to all others in public and in private as the primary sign of religious conviction ; any denigration of others, however slight, is unacceptable and must be seen for what it is: an act that fosters violence.

Congregants, we call you to action. Religion serves man, man does not serve religion. We are to congregate with a purpose in our mind and hearts. Love and Compassion must become, in every major religion, the reason for coming together in unity and solidarity of mind and being. We therefore accept the governing principles for religious experience to permeate the lives of every person we encounter thereafter. Congregants, it is not enough to come together religiously to no effect. Religion has faithfully served and patiently taught us, now we choose to go forth and teach the world what we have both lovingly and compassionately received and learned. Congregants, we call you to individual and collective action.

Congregants are the one most vulnerable so their compassion can only be saved by appointing good educators and Scholars on them. Congregants should also be educated by a syllabus not directly introduce them to doctrines that they can be interpreted wrongly.

I CHOOSE THIS CATEGORY AS IT IS THE CLOSEST TO EMBRACING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY AND TRANSCENDING "EDUCATORS, SCHOLARS, CONGREGANTS, RELIGIOUS LEADERS, MEDIA AND YOUTH"... AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY SUCH AS BUSINESS, HEALTH, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS, ETC. Margaret Mead said that "a small group of thoughtful people could change the world... indeed, it's the only thing that ever has" and there is profound evidence that when communities from different places get to know each other and work in partnership there is an increase in peace, prosperity and justice arising from their increased awareness and understanding of themselves and others - whether the differences between them are in faith, location, race, well being or any other aspect of life. Tolerance will increase to produce true compassion if people and their local leaders actively seek partnerships with others of other faiths, races and backgrounds.

Congregants should first turn their attention to themselves and their own compassion. They should examine their respect for themselves and for those they love, then those they know only a little, and finally those they do not know at all. They should assume responsibility for their beliefs - even (and particularly) those who believe their beliefs are not beliefs but self-evident fact.

Daily focus 1 minute on Compassion. Imagine one compassionate act for the day and take that action. Before retiring for sleep give thanks for the blessings of your compassionate act toward yourself or others.

Individual responsibility within the context of organization for the doctrines and interpretations of doctrine is essential. Every organization is paradoxical, in that it's doctrines contain the seeds of both good and evil. Divisive, exclusive, elitist interpretations must be challenged by those of us inside if the world is ever to know the true meaning of peace.

Congregants must act based on peace, justice and compassion for all or these key religious beliefs mean nothing. Acting as individuals and as communities to protect, empower, and love the least among us, is compassion at its foundations. While loving all is the ideal, in an unequal world, people of faith are called to practice a preferential option for the poor and to work with the poor not only do things for them. Membership in a faith community should be countercultural and challenging or why bother.

Congregants can take the chance of being together to explore for themselves what togetherness means; their gathering should transcends their existence in one place, or being one group in isolation of others. If they experience among themselves how the ego can melt for higher purposes, they would be able to live as part of the whole. It is through this experience that compassion manifests in the heart of congregants and expresses itself in projects and actions that respond to the needs of their community, and spread to embrace national, regional, and international project (if possible).

I believe we are all students and teachers to one another. We all need constant reminders to keep compassion in the forefront of our minds throughout our daily activity. Forgiveness, acceptance, and intention are key to compassionate action; the practice of compassion makes one feel more compassion and enhances one's accountability. Since speaking thoughtfully is an action, we can ask ourselves: "Is it kind, is it true, is it necessary", as well as make an honest assessment of our body language (turning our back to someone, silent scorn, a slight, negative energy).

Congregations share responsibility with the leadership of their individual units of worship as well as the leadership of whole denominations. Each person is equally in error when deriding the beliefs of others whether expressed as an individual or as part of a large, threatening membership. If we do not insist on respect for all beliefs then there is no room for compassion in the religion, its catechism or place in the community. Without compassion it is only an institution for power over others.

Congregants are responsible for their own life long learning about compassion and should feel empowered to engage (with their) religious leaders as well as scholars, educators, media and youth on this subject to deepen their learning. They should promote charity and respect for all others by living these values themselves.

Compassion without action is meaningless. There needs to be a commitment to learn about other's lives and how:- -we can assist them in the struggles they have -respect their customs and beliefs -alleviate suffering -support those that suffer health problems -make links to the isolated -and above all how to become human beings together