Almost everyone has heard the Golden Rule, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31
It is one of the most famous New Testament verses and a way to live for Christians. Yet the Golden Rule is not a uniquely Christian idea. Every world religion has something similar.
Buddhism: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”
Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty, do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.”
Islam: “None of you believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”
Jainism: “Therefore, neither does he cause violence to others nor does he make others do so.”
Judaism: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Leviticus 19:18
“What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. This is the law; all the rest is commentary.” Talmud.
Taoism: “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as you own loss.”
And that is only some of them. I have always believed that any idea that was common among all the world religions was something I needed to pay attention to. It was so important that God wanted to make sure everyone got it.
Today this idea is as important as ever because when we live by it, we make a small step toward making the world better.
Imagine our planet if every person of every faith truly put this into practice. It might be the beginning of a new world where kindness, compassion, understanding, and acceptance are the norm for all people. What a better world it would be!
Quote of the Week
“Do not wrong or hate your neighbor. For it is not he who you wrong, but yourself.”
Pima proverb (Native American)
