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One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated - Jainism .... Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - Christianity .... None of you truly believes until you want for others what you want for yourself - Islam .... Treat not others in ways you yourself would find hurtful - Buddhism .... What is hateful to you do not do to your neighbour - Judaism ....
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Freedom is Not Enough

January 17, 2008

  Peace, to have meaning for many who have only known suffering in both peace and war, must be translated into bread or rice, shelter, health and education, as well as freedom and human dignity. - Ralph Johnson Bunche (1904-1971) diplomat, Nobel Peace prize winner

I'm always looking for the Golden Rule in places where it may not be named. This quote seemed to me to fit perfectly.

The principle of mutuality that we think of as "do (or do not do) unto others" is concerned not only with avoiding harm but also with doing good. It's not enough to simply end a war or release a captive.

 If we walk away at that point, we may have done something good, and we may pat ourselves on the back for it. But if we leave those who have been freed without the means to live free, have we really lived out our Golden Rule calling?

Bunche talks about translation. Let's make sure that, no matter how we read the Golden Rule, nothing gets lost in the translation

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