Faith and the golden rule

The last few years have felt like riding a bucking bronco on steroids when it comes to the issues of tolerance and intolerance, religious freedom, freedom of speech, and the right to simply agree to disagree. It seems there could be potential conflict around every corner. I approach even a casual conversation with strangers in the grocery store with more caution than in the past. This atmosphere can especially affect people of faith who may have a worldview in stark contrast to modern secular belief. How can we walk a path of peace through the turmoil?

Nineteenth-century American religious leader, Joseph Smith, founder of the city of Nauvoo, Illinois, was once asked by a member of the state legislature how he could govern so many people and have a peaceful, well-ordered society. He replied, “It is very easy. I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves.” My personal belief is that Jesus Christ gave us those principles during his time here on earth. Our duty, as people of the Christian faith, is to learn them and practice them.

Jesus taught the two most basic principles in Matthew 22:37-40, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets;” and, Matthew 7:12, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do you even so unto them.”

The first principle is to understand that there is a power that governs the universe. Whether that is the “laws of Nature or of Nature’s God”, as Thomas Jefferson so aptly phrased it in the Declaration of Independence, is up to you to decide for yourself. I don’t know of anyone of any faith tradition or primitive religionist or atheist or secular humanist who does not believe in one of those options. We all recognize that a power exists which is greater than any of us, individually or collectively.

The second principle is also universal – to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” It should be considered a common core value of all humanity. These principles are not new, nor are they the intellectual property of any particular creed. Even a two-year-old child can be taught to understand the concept of treating others with respect and fairness.

Below is a listing of some of the oldest teachings which still resonate among the peoples of the world. There are many others.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Islam: "No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself." Koran, Sunnah (620 AD)

Sikhism: "We obtain salvation by loving our fellow man and God." Granth, Japji XXI (1500 AD)

Recognizing that most people, except for those who are continually evil in their hearts and intent towards others, share these common principles, is the first step towards achieving peace in our personal lives, in our communities, and in the world at large. Imagine how negotiations between individuals and nations would change if everyone made “The Golden Rule” the first consideration.

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?

This is my faith and I’m sticking to it. It really is that simple.

Karen Murray is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints experiencing life as a wife, mother, family historian, author, and political activist.