Yes to a Global Ethic

Yes to a Global Ethic
edited by Hans Kung
Continuum, 1996
239 pgs
ISBN 0-8264-0907-5

The second Parliament of the World's Religions met in Chicago in 1993 to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the first parliament. Representatives from the world's religions worked very hard to create and to have affirmed by members a "Declaration towards a Global Ethic." The goal was not to create a new global theology, nor a uniform religion, nor to be a replacement of the ethical demands inherent in the different and diverse religions. The purpose of the declaration was to gain agreement among the various traditions on "a minimum of irrevocable directives (pg 2)," or to look at what values were held in common. That document, the "Declaration towards a Global Ethic" and short responses to it from political, cultural, and religious leaders are gathered together in this book.

The first part of the book is taken up with a copy of the "Declaration towards a Global Ethic." The central points of the document are followed by short, but in-depth explanations of their meaning. Three general points of agreement are followed by four specific directions. The three general points are: (1) There can be no global order without a new global ethic. (2) Every human being must be treated humanely. (3) Earth cannot be changed for the better unless we achieve a transformation in the consciousness of individuals and in public life. These basic agreements then frame the four specific directions or commitments. These directions are: (1) Commitment to a culture of nonviolence and respect for 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. Each of these points is then explicated in greater depth. This document alone would be a perfect addition to any ethics or character education course. Classroom discussion of the material could be rich and fruitful.

The second and much longer section of the book is made up of responses to the book from a wide variety of political, cultural, and religious leaders from all the major religious traditions. A wide variety of authors, from Helmut Schmidt, Rigoberta Menchu, Elie Wiesel, and Joseph Bernardin to Muhammad El-Ghazali, Hajime Nakamura, Desmond Tutu, and Aung San Suu Kyi respond to the "Declaration" and to the concept of a global ethic. As the world and thus America becomes more global the necessity for a clear global ethic becomes more pronounced. This book is a wonderful start toward considering what that ethic should be.

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