This morning in Washington, the author and former nun turned prolific popular historian Karen Armstrong is unveiling the words of her proposed “Charter for Compassion.” The Charter for Compassion is a single document crafted by people from all walks of life, nationalities, beliefs and backgrounds with the intent to unify, inspire and bring compassion back into the hearts of society.

A worthy idea to be sure.

Armstrong is joined by:

• Reverend Peter Storey, former Methodist Bishop from South Africa and national ecumenical leader during the anti-apartheid struggle;
• Salmon Ahmad, musician, humanitarian, social activist and UN goodwill ambassador for HIV/AIDS;
• Reverend Joan Brown Campbell, Director of the Department of Religion at Chautauqua Institution and formerly General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA; and,
• Rabbi David Saperstein, Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and first Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

For more information on the Charter for Compassion, visit: http://charterforcompassion.org/

And for more on Armstrong herself, read the Shambhala Sun profile, God is Big These Days, by Michael Valpy.