Golden Rule
THERE IS ONE UNDERLYING RULE FOR ALL RIGHT AND WRONG. THAT IS “TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED.”
This rule is known as “The Golden Rule.” It is found in most religions, yet it establishes no particular religion; it leads to harmony among all people; it is the foundation of Democracy; and it leads to the political goal of “Greatest Good For The Greatest Number, With Basic Rights For All.” To apply the Golden Rule, simply ask yourself “How would you like to be treated in similar circumstances?” Then treat the other person that way. Also consider the impact of your actions on all other people, not only those immediately before you.
THE GOLDEN RULE IS FOUND IN MOST RELIGIONS - THE GOLDEN RULE DOES NOT ESTABLISH ANY RELIGION
Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Atheists and all other people can accept The Golden Rule without compromising their beliefs. Promoting The Golden Rule is not “establishing religion” in any Constitutional sense, because it is held in common by religions which are otherwise in competition. So which religion does it establish? Judaism? Islam? Buddhism? Atheism? Christianity? None of the above! I, myself, am a Christian minister, but I am not “establishing” Christianity by promoting The Golden Rule. Simply because most Christians support The Golden Rule does not mean that it “establishes” Christianity, because The Golden Rule is found in the other major religions, also. It is not exclusive to Christianity. Therefore, all governments everywhere can actively promote The Golden Rule without fear of establishing or favoring any particular religion.
SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THE GOLDEN RULE EMBODIES ALL OF GOD’S LAW FOR MANKIND
I, myself, am a “Christian.” I believe that the Scripture is the inspired Word of God, sufficient to guide all human action. And according to the Scripture, as the Holy Spirit leads me to understand it, The Golden Rule embodies all of God’s Law for mankind. Other people do not believe that the Golden Rule embodies all of God’s law. (Some don’t even believe in God.) But they can support the Golden Rule nevertheless. It is truly the worldwide standard for human behavior.
THE GOLDEN RULE IS THE FOUNDATION OF DEMOCRACY. DEMOCRACY: LITERALLY, RULE BY THE PEOPLE (FROM THE GREEK “PEOPLE,” AND KRATOS, “RULE”).
“Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated,” is the foundation of Democracy, because the Golden Rule directs us to give the same power to others as we would like to have for ourselves, namely, the power to make decisions in matters affecting our lives. How much power? The same as we have ourselves, and this leads immediately to the idea of “one person, one vote,” with all votes being of equal weight. So, Democracy is the natural result of applying the Golden Rule to the question: “What kind of government should we have?” Similarly, the Golden Rule leads directly to the idea of equality of all people under the law.
THE GOLDEN RULE LEADS TO “THE GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER, WITH BASIC RIGHTS FOR ALL.” “TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED.”
When it is applied to Politics, the Golden Rule leads to policies which create “The Greatest Good For The Greatest Number, With Basic Rights For All.” Thus, total good is maximized and none are denied the basic needs of life. This is a perfect formula for happiness and social stability anywhere!