The Universal Golden Rule

Recently I overheard a discussion at a patriotic event concerning the idea that principles would be a better way to measure the potential of political leaders and legislation in which a certain gentleman asked, “Whose principles?—a most discerning question and perhaps the most important one to ask during the upcoming election year. Are we to be governed by the principles of global corporations who seek to institute a form of economic slavery subjected to the greed of their shareholders? Or are we to be governed by those who would seek to politically enslave us in the name of safety and the common good? Either way we loose our liberty.
I ask the reader to consider that there are common principles, principles that all mankind can easily understand. It is in the understanding and living of these principles that leads to the path of peace among individuals, tribes, peoples, and nations. These principles are not new, nor are they the intellectual property of any particular creed.
The most basic principle is known in the Christian world as The Golden Rule, that is, "Whatsoever you desire that men should do to you, do you even so to them." (New Testament, Matthew 7:12). If you expect your opinion and lifestyle to be respected, you are obligated to first respect the lifestyles and opinions of others whether you agree with them or not. This principle requires that each individual allow every other individual the liberty to choose his or her own path in life. If every individual and nation actually lived by this simple principle, how the world would change. Here is a list of several other traditions that espouse this same value.

Vedic Tradition (3000 BC) - "This is the sum of duty. Do not unto others that which would cause you pain if done to you."

Judaism - Talmud, Shabbat 31a (1300 BC) "What is hateful to you, do not to our fellow man. That is entire Law, all the rest is commentary."

Zoroastrianism - Avesta, Dadistan-i-dinik 94:5 (600 BC) "That nature alone is good which refrains from doing unto another whatsoever is not good for itself."

Buddhism - Tripitaka, Udanga-varga 5,18 (525 BC) "Hurt not others in ways that you find hurtful."

Confucianism - Analects, Lun-yu XV,23 (500 BC) "Surely it is the maxim of loving kindness, do not unto others that which you would not have done unto you."

Jainism - Agamas, Sutrakrtanga 1.10, 1-3 (500 BC) "One should treat all beings as he himself would be treated."

Taoism - Tai-shang Kang-ying P'ien (500 BC) "Regard your neighbor's gain as your gain and your neighbor's loss as your loss."

Socrates (470-399 BC) "Do not do to others that which would anger you if others did it to you."

Seneca - Epistle XLVII,11 (5-65 AD) "Treat your inferiors as you would be treated by your superiors."

Shinto - Ko-ji-ki, Hachiman Kasuga (500 AD) "Be charitable to all beings, love is the representative of God."

Islam - Koran, Sunnah (620 AD) "No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself."
Sikhism - Granth, Japji XXI (1500 AD) "We obtain salvation by loving our fellow man and God."

It really is that simple.

(originally published in the Quincy Valley Post-Register: 19 July 2007)