“All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”
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The intro quote is from the Christian Bible. Matthew 7:12, the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. But we all know the Christian Golden Rule isn't restricted to Christians.
Buddhism: 560 BC, from the Udanavarga 5:18 - "Hurt not others with that which pains yourself."
Judaism: 1300 BC, from the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18 - "Thou shalt Love thy neighbor as thyself."
Hinduism: 3200 BC, from the Hitopadesa - "One should always treat others as they themselves wish to be treated."
Zoroastrianism: 600 BC, from the Shast-na-shayast 13:29 - "Whatever is disagreeable to yourself, do not do unto others."
Confucianism: 557 BC, from the Analects 15:23 - "What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others."
I got to thinking about the Golden Rule while reading this diary. In it a Fox commentator, Keith Ablow, calls for an American jihad. Talk about "do unto others:"
We would accept the fact that an American jihad could mean boots on the ground in many places in the world where human rights are being denigrated and horrors are unfolding. Because wherever leaders and movements appear that seek to trample upon the human spirit, we have a God-given right to intervene — because we have been to the mountaintop of freedom, and we have seen the Promised Land spanning the globe.
I have to believe that most Americans would never want a world of constant war and forcing every one else to follow our path. I have to believe that Ablow is just another Fox wingnut and his words will not be taken as gospel. But after the way the elections panned out, I am afraid. Very afraid. Americans are obviously total idiots. They can't even seem to vote for their own best interests. Forget about voting the "Common Good."
My only spot of joy - and it is bleak to say the least - I survived Nixon, Reagan, Bush I, and Bush II. Barely survived and terribly tattered, but still kicking. So I will grit my teeth and fight through the next two years. But if anyone who voted R says one word of complaint to me, I am going to laugh in their face. Thank FSM it is only two years and that the wingnuts in Congress will probably not stop fighting amongst themselves long enough to get anything done.
Stay calm and carry on!
A much needed moment of zen: