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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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World Peace

November 14, 2006

     In a recent conversation, someone commented that world peace would never be achieved until the world gives up its religions. The feeling was that, since religion tends to define itself as "I'm right, you're wrong", that religious attempts at peace really devolve into exercises in total conversion.

     I hope that's not the case, because a total divestment of religious belief seems unlikely any time soon.

     And it would be unfortunate if that were truly the only path to peace. The traditions and beliefs of the world's religions are a rich tapestry, a commentary on the diversity of human experience of the Divine.

     The Golden Rule suggests another way.

     Rather than requiring us to give up our various faiths, the Golden Rule calls us to see the unity that underlies them, the Presence of the Divine in our midst. And in seeing unity, to help others to see it as well.

     World peace is not a matter of giving up anything. It is a matter of embracing the other thing we are most afraid of.

      Each other.  

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