Yes to a Global Ethic

In 1993, the Parliament of the World's Religions produced a Declaration of a Global Ethic that urged tolerance, global economic and social justice and ecological stability. On the basis of that statement, prolific theologian Kung gathered a variety of voices from the world's religious traditions to reflect on the meaning(s) of ""a global ethic."" Each writer was invited to contribute an essay, a letter, a creed or a poem as a meditation upon his or her understanding of the Parliament's Declaration. Thus, Patriarch Bartholomew I examines the ""reconciliation between the nations and the peace of the world"" while Hindu writer Dileep Pagdaonkar works to ""redefine tolerance."" Missing from this collection, however, are the powerful voices of Paul Knitter and Leonard Swidler, both of whom have been actively involved in articulating tenets of the global ethic. Despite this, Kung's work in drawing together so many disparate thinkers into a single affirmation of unity is indeed deserving of praise. (June)