This article is a summary of the web page, GOLDEN RULE ETHICS: The Underlying Rule For All Right And Wrong, "Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated." Properly applied, "Golden Rule Ethics" provides a powerful rationale for Progressive political values and policies. It is almost impossible to justify most Republican policies on the basis of "Treat others as you would like to be treated." So as the fall elections approach, I expect that we can put Golden Rule Ethics to very good use.
In 1963, President Kennedy invoked the Golden Rule to help persuade white America to accept racial integration as a moral obligation. It worked then, and it can work for us today, particularly in the area of Economic Justice, where the Republicans are particularly vulnerable.
THERE IS ONE UNDERLYING RULE FOR ALL RIGHT AND WRONG: "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.
Some Version Of The Golden Rule Is Found In Most Religions - (See the list of examples at http://goldenruleethics.com )
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 other true 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.
If everybody would treat everybody else according to the Golden Rule, we would find a harmony among all people that has never been seen before.
The Golden Rule is expressed twice in the Bible, and these are its clearest expressions, in the words of Jesus, translated.
"So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12 RSV)
"And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them." (Luke 6:31 RSV)
And here are some of the best expressions of The Golden Rule in modern English.
1. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Rev. Bill McGinnis is an Internet Christian minister, writer and publisher. He is Director of LoveAllPeople.org, a small private think tank in Alexandria, Virginia, and all of its related websites, including InternetChurchOfChrist.org,CommitteeForTheGoldenRule.org,CivicAmerican.com, and AmericanDemocrat.net. His agenda is to help maximize the happiness and well-being of all people. His blog is located at http://blog.myspace.com/revbillmcginnis
