Karen Armstrong: My wish: The Charter for Compassion

The speaker shares their unexpected journey into religion and writing, emphasizing the evolution of belief and the importance of compassion in religious practice. They highlight the misuse of religion in global conflicts and propose a Charter for Compassion to promote peace and understanding across faiths. The talk underscores the need for a global movement to reclaim the compassionate ethos of religion.

What was the speaker's initial career aspiration before engaging with religion?

• A journalist

• A religious scholar

• An English literature professor

• A television producer

What realization did the speaker have about the concept of belief in religion?

• It is universally understood the same way

• It is the most important aspect of religion

• It originally meant to love and hold dear

• It has always been about intellectual assent

According to the speaker, what is the primary focus of religion?

• Believing in God

• Behaving differently

• Following strict doctrines

• Attending religious services

What is the Golden Rule as mentioned in the talk?

• Believe in one God

• Do not do to others what you would not like them to do to you

• Pray daily

• Love your neighbor as yourself

Which religious figure is associated with the story of standing on one leg to summarize the Torah?

• Buddha

• Rabbi Hillel

• Saint Augustine

• Confucius

What does the speaker identify as a common misuse of religion?

• Encouraging compassion

• Promoting peace

• Justifying violence

• Fostering community

What does the speaker suggest is necessary for religion to pass the test of time?

• Global understanding and appreciation

• Strict adherence to doctrines

• Focus on rituals

• Isolation from other cultures

What is the speaker's proposed solution to reclaim faith from misuse?

• A new religious text

• A new religious leader

• A Charter for Compassion

• A global religious conference

Who are some of the figures mentioned as supporters of the Charter for Compassion?

• Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Imam Feisal Rauf

• Pope Francis and Dalai Lama

• Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela

• Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi

What role does the speaker envision for the United Nations in the Charter for Compassion?

• To provide financial support

• To offer neutrality and global reach

• To enforce religious laws

• To organize religious events