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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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Cultural Conundrums

January 7, 2007

       In an online forum that I frequent, the last couple of weeks have been pretty much taken up with discussions around religious holidays.

     Christmas of course, being a pretty much universal Western holiday, drove a lot of the comments. Some of the discussion, owing to occasional news items, touched on questions of openness to the celebration of other faith traditions.

     It struck me as I read participants' contributions, that this is probably one of the more challenging times of year in terms of applying the Golden Rule in an interfaith setting.

     It seems to me that it's when we're involved in the most traditional celebrations of our particular faiths that we can slip back somewhat into the time when those faiths championed exclusivity.

     The universality of the Golden Rule reminds us that we are the stronger for our connection to each other and that we are more spiritually aware because of our openness to the traditions and celebrations of faiths the world over.

     As we move into a New Year, (even the exact timing of which depends on your calendar) I'd like to offer the thought and hope that we will move ever closer to the time when we can embrace the unity to be found in the diversity of one another's spiritual narratives.

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