Jakarta, Indonesia - For two days I was fortunate to be able to accompany Professor Hans Küng of the Foundation for a Global Ethic at interreligious gatherings during his time in our country.
A seminar took place on April 26 at the Nikko Hotel Jakarta on "Religion, Ethics, and Dogmatism in Indonesia: Fostering Understanding of Current Challenges."
The following day, a dialogue took place at the State Islamic University in Jakarta on "Pluralism as a Global Ethic: Searching for a Common Ground." Prof. Komaruddin Hidayat, the Rector of the University, hosted the dialogue.
A Swiss Catholic priest, controversial theologian, and prolific author, Dr. Küng is emeritus professor of Ecumenical Theology at the University of Tübingen in Germany. He drafted a "Declaration of a Global Ethic" in cooperation with the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions staff and trustees and experts, drawing on many of the world's religious and spiritual traditions. The Declaration identifies four principles:
- Commitment to a culture of non-violence and respect for life
- Commitment to a culture of solidarity and a just economic order
- Commitment to a culture of tolerance and a life of truthfulness
- Commitment to a culture of equal rights and partnership between men and women
In 1993, I wrote about the Global Ethic and the Parliament of the World's Religions. The Declaration was presented there, and it was signed by more than 200 leaders from 40 different faith traditions and spiritual communities.