What All Major Religions Have in Common (9-9-12)

Compassion is the central focus of Christianity and all other major religions. Mark Schaefer, UMC Chaplain at American University, reminded adult ed of John Wesley’s approach to compassion: Do all the good you can with all the means you have.”

According to Schaefer, Wesley rarely used the word compassion in his sermons, yet it was at the heart of his understanding of Christian duty. ”Compassion was interwoven into every aspect of his theology,” said Schaefer. Adult ed participants on Sept. 9 discussed compassion as being an action--not a feeling—and highlighted some modern-day opportunities of showing compassion “at a distance” as well as nearby.

The session was part of a four-week, church-wide series on Compassion preparatory to a decision on whether to sign the “Charter of Compassion.”

--By Ginny Finch