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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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Golden Clarity

October 7, 2006

When I mentioned the Golden Rule to a clergy friend, he commented that he hadn't thought of it as a separate concept in years. And another person commented that while it would be nice if we could just "stroll along" following the Golden Rule, it isn't that simple.

In response to the first thought, I wonder how we can fail to consider the Golden Rule a "separate concept." In the Christian New Testament, it is described as the second commandment, Rabbi Hillel called it the sum of the Torah, and in the Hadith, Mohammed describes the Golden Rule as the indication of true belief.

As far as the idea of "strolling along" with the Golden Rule goes, the truth of the matter is that it is so basic a concept that we cannot hope to live it fully every day. Far from being simple, the Golden Rule is so universally encompassing that it is not humanly possible to follow it.

But we can identify it as the underlying principle of our faiths. We can acknowledge that the rituals and rules that we call religion are attempts to interpret the Golden Rule in ways we can accept.

And we can dedicate ourselves to learning to live into the Golden Rule a little more fully each day.

The clarity of the Golden Rule can help us to cut through politics and prejudice. It can entice us to listen a little more and shout a little less.

And it can encourage us to extend an open hand instead of a clenched fist.

We have nothing to lose, and just possibly a world to gain.

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