HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 4334-08-2014 i
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A Resolution
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NO. 4334-08-2014 I
AFFIRMING THE "INTERNATIONAL CHARTER FOR COMPASSION"
IN THE CITY OF FORT WORTH
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WHEREAS, the City of Fort Worth includes a diverse spectrum of ethnic,
religious and political groups embodying the best of Texan and American values; and,
WHEREAS, Fort Worth is the home to a generous citizenry responsible for
creating countless compassionate initiatives, including, but not limited to, the Fort
Worth ISD's "It's Not Okay" anti-bullying program, the Safe City Coalition's Imagine
No Violence art contest, the Human Relations Commission's Movies that Matter series
and The Day of Service sponsored by the Mayor's Faith Leaders Cabinet; and
WHEREAS, there are still many instances where individuals and groups fail to
live compassionately and thus we acknowledge we must recommit to strengthen and
broaden this effort throughout all parts of Fort Worth and Tarrant County; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor's Faith Leaders Cabinet is comprised of a diverse group of
faith-based leaders who represent a sample of the religious communities within Fort
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Worth, and was established to span across religious and cultural lines, to share
information and build partnerships to improve the welfare of Fort Worth; and I
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WHEREAS, the Mayor's Faith Leaders Cabinet acknowledges the role and
responsibility of diverse communities and congregations to make compassion a clear,
luminous and dynamic force in the City of Fort Worth through both awareness and
action; and
WHEREAS, studies have shown that compassion promotes happiness, increases
productivity and spurs innovation; and
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WHEREAS, compassion can promote interest, growth and economic development
in Fort Worth by solidifying our city as an state and national leader in the quest for a
just and better world; and
WHEREAS, in fulfilling the universal principal and moral of "loving thy neighbor
as thy love thyself," compassion can be a strong and unifying force in a polarized world
that has the power to alleviate the suffering of fellow citizens by putting the needs of
others before our own and honoring the rights of others by treating everyone—without
exception—with absolute justice, equity and respect; and '
WHEREAS, although compassion can be experienced amongst all humankind; we
also recognize our responsibility to show compassion for all creation.
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Resolution No.4334-08-2014
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS:
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That the City Council hereby affirms the message set forth in the International
Charter for Compassion (attached hereto) and calls on the Mayor's Faith Leaders Cabinet
to cultivate compassion in Fort Worth by establishing a Stewardship Group to partner
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with local public and private entities to create a shared vision that will enhance positive
change, civic engagement, and establish the City of Fort Worth a model "Compassionate f
City" as designated by the International Campaign for Compassionate Cities. j
Furthermore, that the City Council calls on all citizens to live and act more
compassionately in accordance with the principals articulated by the International
Charter for Compassion. i
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Adopted this 5th day of August, 2014.
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Mary Kayser ity Secretary �� °a®oop oQ®o°*e� �
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Resolution No.4334-08-2014
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The International Charter for Compassion:
The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us
always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to
alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the center of our world and put
another there, and to honor the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody,
without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.
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It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting
pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny
basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others--even our enemies—is a denial of our
common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have
even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.
We therefore call upon all men and women to restore compassion to the center of morality and religion–
to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or
disdain is illegitimate–to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other
traditions, religions and cultures–to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity
to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings--even those regarded as
enemies.
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We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world.
Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, j
dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is j
essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and
indispensable to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.
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