Description
Book SynopsisIn 1993, the World Parliament of Religions endorsed the "Declaration towards a Global Ethic" composed by Hans Küng. In it, representatives from all the world's religions agreed on principles for a global ethic and committed themselves to directives of non-violence, respect for life, solidarity, a just economic order, tolerance, and equal rights and partnership between men and women. But the declaration was just the first step. In HOW TO DO GOOD AND AVOID EVIL, Küng, probably the most famous living Roman Catholic theologian, and Rabbi Walter Homolka, head of Germany's rabbinical seminary and distinguished professor, draw on the Jewish tradition to show the riches that Judaism can offer people of all faiths and non-believers in achieving these directives. The authors make the case for binding values and basic moral attitudes, which can be found in Judaism's universal message of a better world where actions speak louder than words. Exploring Judaism's focus on ethical conduct over declarations of faith, the authors show that making ethical decisions is indispensable in an ever-changing world.
Trade Review"Enlightening and inspiring…. Convincingly shows … all religions of the world can endorse a global ethic and each has a distinctive contribution to it. This book offers Judaism as a 'case study' for a global project." —Paul F. Knitter, Paul Tillich Professor of Theology, World Religions, and Culture, Union Theological Seminary “At a time when people around the globe experience great division but also the unifying power of technology, this new framework offers hope for interfaith dialogue and understanding.” —Rabbi Ellen Weinberg Dreyfus, president, Central Conference of American Rabbis “Demonstrates the rich contribution Judaism can make to the development of an ethical framework for today’s global society. [Gives] the Jewish tradition its rightful place at the center of the ongoing discussion of a global ethic.” —John T. Pawlikowski, OSM, PhD, professor of social ethics; director, Catholic-Jewish Studies Program, Catholic Theological Union “Proclaims the equality and worth of all persons in the eyes of God—irrespective of their faiths…. A vital and significant addition to the library of ecumenical discourse and interfaith dialogue.” —Rabbi David Ellenson, president, Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments INTRODUCTION Walter Homolka JUDAISM AND A GLOBAL ETHIC Hans Küng JUDAISM'S UNIVERSAL GIFT: AN ETHIC FOR HUMANKIND Walter Homolka CORE ETHIC 1 THE VALUE OF THE HUMAN: EVERY HUMAN BEING MUST BE TREATED HUMANELY. Sacred Image of Man Abraham J. Heschel Primary Sources CORE ETHIC 2 THE GOLDEN RULE: DO NOT DO TO ANOTHER WHAT YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO BE DONE TO YOU. Love of Neighbor Samson Hochfeld Primary Sources CORE ETHIC 3 PEACE: COMMITMENT TO A CULTURE OF NONVIOLENCE AND REVERENCE FOR ALL LIFE. The Tent of Peace Hermann Cohen Primary Sources CORE ETHIC 4 JUSTICE: COMMITMENT TO A CULTURE OF JUSTICE AND A JUST ECONOMIC ORDER. Public Prosperity Salomo Samuel Primary Sources CORE ETHIC 5 TRUTH AND TOLERANCE: COMMITMENT TO A CULTURE OF TOLERANCE AND A LIFE IN TRUTHFULNESS. Truthfulness Leo Baeck Primary Sources CORE ETHIC 6 EQUAL RIGHTS: COMMITMENT TO A CULTURE OF EQUAL RIGHTS AND A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN. Standing Again at Sinai Judith Plaskow Primary Sources AFTERWORD: A VISION OF HOPE Religious Peace and a Global Ethic Hans Küng Declaration toward a Global Ethic Council of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, Chicago, September 1993 Glossary Sources Notes Credits
