The Golden Rule in Religion (and Life)

There is a poster called The Golden Rule published by Scarboro Missions. It shows the Golden Rule as expressed in 13 different religions. A copy is on permanent display at the United Nations. Here is a picture below. My screen is not big enough to read it well, but it makes the point nonetheless.

The Golden Rule poster by Paul McKenna of Scarboro Ministries, posted in the United Nations building.

If you were raised in church, you probably grew up thinking it originated with Jesus. He does get credit for it in Matthew 7:12. But as the poster demonstrates, it is part of every major religion.

Don’t Do Bad = Do Good?

Some are stated negatively, and others positively. Some say, “Don’t do anything bad,” and others say, “Only do good.” People say they are the same, but I don’t think so. To not do bad, you can just stay at home watching TV. You’re not doing anything hateful to anybody. But to do good, you have to, you know, do something. It requires you to be active, not passive. Unless we’re in a pandemic. Then, staying home and not spreading it is actually doing good.

I’m not knocking any particular way of expressing it. Whether negative or positive, it is an important rule that is easy to follow. Is it hateful to you if someone steals from you or lies about you (especially in court) or kills you? Then don’t do it to another. If you manage to get through life without doing anything harmful to…