Compassion is no longer an option—it is the key to our survival. If our religious and ethical traditions fail to address these challenges, they will fail the test of our time.

~Karen Armstrong, “Compassion: An Urgent Global Imperative”

World religions share a common thread to honor life in the world: human beings and created things. The need to return to “compassion for life” that arises from the very core of our being is the most important contribution we can make in our communities today. Discovering these common threads and sharing our stories with one another is life-giving and necessary to build healthy communities.

Our Common Thread in the Golden Rule:

“Lay not on any soul a load which ye would not wish to be had on you, and desire not for anyone the things that ye would not desire for yourselves.” Baha’u’llah, Bahá’í Faith

“This is the sum of Dharma [duty]: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you”. Mahabharata, 5:1517, Brahmanism

“Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” Udana-Varga 5:18, Buddhism

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31, New International Version, Christianity

“What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.” Talmud, Shabbat 31a, Judaism

“This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.” Mahabharata 5:1517, Hinduism

“Not one of you is a believer until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.” Fourth Haditih of an-Nawawi’s 13, Islam

“A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated.” Sutrakritanga 1.11.33, Jainism

Recognizing that “the principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religions, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves,” the faithful in Dallas are moving toward life-giving communities as our life and work together are grounded in the Charter for Compassion. It is our hope:

1. To share multi-generational invitations for gatherings in the DFW Metroplex that are safe places to share our stories in life and work together.

2.To offer a space to honor and teach the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate.

3To inform houses of worship of all traditions around the DFW Metroplex opportunities to engage in dialogue and service that strengthen and unify our communities.

4. To encourage houses of worship in all traditions around the DFW Metroplex to sign on to the Charter for Compassion and join in the work of Compassionate DFW as a partner in unifying our brokenness.

5. To cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.

Aga Khan Council of Central United States

CSL Dallas

First Unitarian Church of Dallas

First United Method

Friend

Interfaith Council of Thanks-Giving Square

Northaven United Methodist Church

Retreat House Spirituality Center

Richardson Interfaith Alliance

Sacred Living – Dallas

St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church – Richardson

First United Methodist Church Richardson

Sathya Sai Center of Dallas

Looks like there are no posts for RIS!

Contact us if you have a compassionate blog post related to RIS. 

Rev. Lillian Smith

Advisor on Religion, Interfaith and Spirituality, Compassionate DFW

If you would like to be a part of spreading religion, interfaith, and spirituality in the DFW area, contact Lillian at lil@retreathousecommunity.org.

A second career pastor, the Reverend Lillian Smith was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, USA 9 (PCUSA) in 2011. She earned a Master of Divinity with a Certificate in Pastoral Care at SMU Perkins School of Theology, a Degree in the Art of Spiritual Direction (DASD) at San Francisco Theological Seminary, and studied supervision of spiritual directors with Together in the Mystery. She is continuing her studies at Perkins in the Doctor of Ministry program with an emphasis in spiritual formation.

Lil is the director of Retreat House Spirituality Center, Inc. in Richardson. She is an adjunct faculty member for the Certification in Spiritual Direction at SMU Perkins School of Theology in Dallas. As a teacher, retreat leader, and spiritual director, Lil shares with others the passion for spiritual life through the lens of the Christian tradition. She also shares her ministry as is a part-time Parish Associate of Spiritual Life at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson, the Board of Directors for Spiritual Ministries Institute, Richardson Interfaith Alliance (RIA) and Compassionate DFW.