As the peaceful co-existence of people, nations and states often breaks down because of conflicts between the different religions, the GLOBAL ETHIC BEAR is dedicated to this subject.
No peace among the nations without peace among the religions.
No peace among the religions without dialogue between the religions.
No co-existence on our globe without a global ethic.
These are the theses that Prof. Hans Küng puts at the beginning of his “Project Global Ethic“. It is not intended to create a new religion with Global Ethic, it is much more the effort to identify and emphasize the similar thoughts that all religions have in common, in order to enable and support the dialogue between the religions. Without this dialogue a peaceful co-existence is not possible.
“From my own experience I know all the dark sides of the religions – the Christian religion as much as all the others. Up to the present day religions have often played a fatal role in many conflicts all over the world” writes Prof. Hans Küng in the preface to his brochure.
“WORLD RELIGIONS – UNIVERSAL PEACE – GLOBAL ETHIC “
He continues: “However, I also know the bright sides of religions: As doctrines and ways of salvation they can provide a sense of purpose and can be patrons of peace and reconciliation. They can provide ethic standards and personal orientation for the people of our days.“
Our modern society is increasingly characterized by a lack of orientation which is mainly due to a lack of an education for young people giving them a sense of purpose.
Thoughtlessness, an increase in crime rates and more violence are the results.
In our pluralistic society it is becoming increasingly difficult to acknowledge a universally binding formula for all people in one single religion, philosophy or ideology. “The “Project Global Ethic“ is supposed to show that the religions of this world can only contribute to peace in this world, if they think about what they already have in common. In 1993 in Chicago, at the “Parliament of the World’s Religions“ 200 delegates representing all religions and continents signed the “Declaration towards a Global Ethic”. On the GLOBAL ETHIC BEAR the four basic commandments of this declaration branch out in rays from the seven main world religions.
Above all is the so-called “Golden Rule”, its original quote from all the world religions can be read on the back of the GLOBAL ETHIC BEAR.
These are the original quotes of the "Golden Rule" as you can find them on the back of the “Global Ethic Bear”.
They are quoted from the brochure "WORLD RELIGIONS, UNIVERSAL PEACE, GLOBAL ETHIC" (www.global-ethic.org).
HINDUISM
This is the sum of duty: do nothing to others which would cause you pain if done to you.
Mahabharata XIII, 114,8
JAINISM
A person should treat all creatures as he himself would be treated.
Sutrakritanga I.11.33
CHINESE RELIGION
Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.
Confucius talks 15,23
BUDDHISM
A state that is not pleasant or delightful to me must be so for him also; and a state which is not pleasant or delightful for me, how could I inflict that on another?
Samyutta Nikaya V, 353.35 – 354.2
JUDAISM
Do not do to others what you want them to do to you.
Rabbi Hillel, Sabbat 31 a
CHRISTIANITY
In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.
St. Matthew 7,12; St. Luke 6,31
ISLAM
None of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.
40 Hadithe (The Book of Muhammad) by an-Nawawi 13
Please find further information on this project under www.global-ethic.org.
You’ll find ideas for school projects on the subject under buddy-bear-help.org/berlin-message.
This especially concerns our children. Having in mind that this way of thinking is an important tool for a peaceful coexistence, I would like to apply to all teachers and nursery-school teachers. This homepage can be used for finding information on this topic as a part of your teaching. Thank you!
Eva Herlitz