Personal Freedom Corrodes the Golden Rule

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“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get."  (Matthew 7:12, The Message)                                                                            


The behavior of one person has a dramatic impact on hundreds, if not thousands of lives. A single act, based on a simple belief, can elevate or devastate our neighbors. Perhaps this is why virtually every religion upholds a version of the Golden Rule like the ones listed below. Even outside of religious circles, the sentiment is universally accepted. Unfortunately, it is also universally ignored or misinterpreted. 

People who refuse to wear a mask or get vaccinated are doing unto others as they do to themselves. They don’t wear a mask and they happily offer the same freedom to their neighbors. But unhealthy choices based on a lie -- that Covid-19 is a hoax -- only block us from the truth that could set us free.  That's not living by the Golden Rule. That's throwing corrosive acid on the face of humanity. Covid is real and deadly. Masks help. Vaccines work. This is the truth that could set the world free from the pandemic.  

Though Austin hospitals are full and the covid rate has soared  to Stage 5 again, many people are living as if the words Janis Joplin sang are gospel truth. "Freedom’s just another word for nothing else to lose.” But when individual freedom becomes a deadly assault on our medical care workers, our students, teachers and school administrators, our churches, and our whole way of life, it is no longer freedom. It is a self-consumed, violent bully destroying innocent lives. 

Though the pandemic brought an avalanche of misery to the world, it also uncovered a powerful truth. The behavior of one person has a dramatic impact on hundreds, if not thousands of others. Our choices matter. We matter. We can make a difference in the world. Let us use our personal freedom for the greater good.  

The Golden Across World Religions 

Bahá'í Faith

Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself. --Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings


Buddhism

Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.

--The Buddha, Udana-Varga 5.18


Christianity

In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. -- Matthew 7:12 


Confucianism

One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct....loving-kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself. -- Confucius, Analects 15.23


Hinduism

This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you. -- Mahabharata 5:1517

     

Islam

Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself. -- The Prophet Muhammad, Hadith


Jainism

One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated. -- Mahavira, Sutrakritanga 1.11.33


Judaism

What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it. 

--Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a


Native Spirituality

We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive. 

--Chief Dan George


Sikhism

I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am a friend to all. -- Guru Granth Sahib, p.1299 


Taoism

Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain and your neighbor's loss as your own loss. 

-- Lao Tzu, T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien, 213-218 


Unitarianism

We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. --Unitarian principle


Zoroastrianism

Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.  

-- Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29



Acknowledgements: This original English version was prepared by Paul McKenna. Published by Scarboro Missions (Toronto, Canada) Copyright © Scarboro Missions 2000

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