As an attempt to develop a universal environmental ethic, the Earth Charter process faces the challenge of trying to derive consensus among widely divergent worldviews. The authors of the Earth Charter have called on a wide range of groups to contribute to this document. This approach should foster a sense of ownership among the diverse constituents of the Earth Community. Many representatives of the world's religions have contributed to this process. Their participation makes sense, given that the religions of the world have functioned traditionally as keepers of human ethics.
Human history presents innumerable instances of human conflict based on religious disagreements.
Luckily, the area of most overlap and agreement among religious worldviews turns out to be ethics. Although persons of different religions often disagree as to why killing is wrong, they tend to agree that killing is wrong. Likewise with stealing, cheating, lying, and generally mistreating others. Even in this area differences arise, as in the occasional religious advocacy of specific instances of killing. But if we stick to the realm of general ethical principles, most humans agree.