World Religions, Ethics, and the Earth Charter for a Sustainable Future - Earth Stewardship: Linking Ecology and Ethics in Theory and Practice - page 392

26.9.4 Democracy, Non-violence, and Peace,

Responsibility and Renewal

Finally, the Earth Charter recognizes that democracy, non-violence, and peace are
necessary ingredients for a sustaining and fl ourishing future. From the perspective
of the religious communities, democracy requires a fundamental sense of responsi-
bility to future generations of the community of life - human and more than human.
Non-violence and peace encourage the renewal of inner and outer peace, some-
thing that the religious communities have tried to foster for millennia. Spiritual
practices such as prayer and contemplation, yoga and tai ch'i, and rituals and rites
of passages have been developed to foster peace and non-violence for individuals
and communities. Of course, it should be noted that non-violence has not always
been practiced, but it is one of the reasons why Mahatma Gandhi, Leo Tolstoy, and
Martin Luther King are so widely admired.
The principles in the section of the Earth Charter are: strengthening democratic
institutions, promoting sustainability education, respecting animals, and promoting
a culture of non-violence and peace.

26.10 Conclusion

This integration of the principles of the Earth Charter with the virtues for human-
Earth fl ourishing of the world's religions provides a unique synergy for rethinking a
sustainable future. Such a synergy can contribute to the broadened understanding of
sustainability as including economic, ecological, social, and spiritual well-being.
This broadened understanding may be a basis for long-term policies, programs, and
practices for a planetary future that is not only ethically sustainable, but also sus-
taining for human energies. For at present we face a crisis of hope that we can make
a transition to a viable low carbon future for the Earth community. The capacity of
the world's religions to provide moral direction and inspiration for a fl ourishing
community of life is signifi cant. The potential of the Earth Charter to create an
ethical framework for sustainable plans and practices is considerable. Together they
may provide a comprehensive grounding for creating a common and shared future,
and fostering an Earth stewardship initiative.

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