Compassion doesn't, of course, mean feeling sorry for people, or pity, which is how the word has become emasculated in a way.

She is in demand as a speaker on the Abrahamic tradition; in the last decade increasing interest in and debate surrounding Islamic issues has brought her even wider visibility. She first rose to prominence in 1993 with her book A History of God: The 4000-Year Quest of Judaism Christianity and Islam. When Karen Armstrong spoke out of turn Karen Armstrong claims Karen Armstrong was forced to sew at a treadle machine with no needle for a fortnight.

Armstrong received the $100000 TED Prize in February 2008. Her work focuses on commonalities of the major religions such as the importance of compassion and the Golden Rule.