September 6, 2014

Podcast: What’s Up Bainbridge:
Interfaith Council brings global “Compassion Games” home

<i>Podcast: What’s Up Bainbridge:</i> <br>Interfaith Council brings global “Compassion Games” home

Whats Up on Bainbridge IslandIn this episode of What’s Up Bainbridge, BCB host Sonia Scaer interviews Reed Price, the communications director and past president of Bainbridge Island / North Kitsap Interfaith Council. The subject is the upcoming Compassion Games event from September 11th to 21st.

Members of the local Bainbridge Island / North Kitsap Interfaith Council join the Grande Old Fourth of July parade in Winslow
Members of the local Bainbridge Island / North Kitsap Interfaith Council join the Grand Old Fourth of July parade in Winslow

Our local Interfaith Council is an association of many different faith groups in the Bainbridge Island / North Kitsap area, sharing, respecting and celebrating different religious traditions and seeking common, faith-based ground to work together for the good of our community and beyond.

The Compassion Games are a worldwide celebration aimed at turning the Golden Rule into the Golden Reality. The annual event, which is practiced in countries around the world, celebrates ongoing compassionate activities and is intended to inspire more everyday instances of caring activities. It’s called a “coopetition” – part competition, mostly cooperation – because helping each other is the best way to win!

The global emblem of compassion, for all faiths and all communities
The emblem of the compassion games. The motto: “Survival of the Kindest”

During the event. participants might engage in activities such as performing a Random Act of Kindness or become a “Secret Agent of Compassion” and receive a secret mission for each of the eleven days of the event.

The Compassion Games are motivated by the same spirit as the Charter for Compassion, which was founded by UK religious scholar Karen Armstrong to encourage cities, schools, communities and faith organizations to restore compassionate thinking and action to religious, moral and political life.

Peace, cooperation and prayer are among the themes evoked by the symbol of the Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap Interfaith Council
Peace, cooperation and prayer are among the themes evoked by the symbol of the Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap Interfaith Council

The Charter for Compassion was given a widely publicized start when Karen Armstrong was awarded a major prize for her powerful 2008 TED Talk: “My Wish – A Charter of Compassion”

Here in Bainbridge, the closing ceremonies for the 11-day Compassion Games will be held at the Waterfront Park in downtown Winslow on Sunday, September 21st at 5pm. There will be music, fun and awards!

To learn more about how you can participate in this year’s September 11-21 games, visit BINKInterfaith.org

Credits: BCB studio tech and editor: Barry Peters; BCB intro music: Tim Bird; BCB ferry music: Dogfish Bay Studios; BCB podcast art: artopia creative