Secular ethics

Compassion is not only a religious virtue. It is practical wisdom. If we live in a society filled with suspicion, prejudice and fear, no one can be truly secure. If there is trust, friendship and mutual respect, everyone benefits. Our world today is so closely connected that the old idea of 'us' and 'them' is no longer realistic. The economy, the environment, public health, peace and human dignity all depend on one another.

Many people today do not follow any religion. They, too, wish to be happy and avoid suffering. They, too, need inner peace and moral strength. This is why I speak of secular ethics. By secular, I do not mean against religion. I mean universal: an ethics based on our common human experience. Whether we believe or do not believe, we all need affection. We all suffer when there is fear. We all benefit from kindness.

The purpose of religion, and also of secular ethics, is to make us more human. The world does not need more pride in the name of faith. It needs more humility, more listening, more forgiveness and more warm-heartedness in daily conduct.

In the end, we are members of one human family. Different faiths may serve different needs but the health we seek is the same: a peaceful mind, a compassionate heart, and a life that brings less suffering and more happiness to others.

As told to Rajiv Mehrotra