As I was in college knee deep in the studies of theology I kept coming upon a multitude of poinient differences amongst the different religions. It seemed to be that not only did most of the sacred texts and religions claim some sort of exclusivity upon God, as if their way was the only way, but amongst followers it seemed everyone was constantly pointing to their differences. Taking a page from my fathers book, (He was a rocket scientist who would brief the shuttle crew on pre-problem analysis as in if this happens than do this/that) and I decided to reverse engineer my entire way of thinking. I thought to myself, instead of looking at all the differences amongst the many religions why don't I look for the similarites? In doing so I was amazed! There seemed to be only one single similarity amongst all the different religions, and make no mistake I found this same belief statement in every single sacred text and religion I looked into. Do you know what that one single similarity is? The Golden Rule! Can you imagine what might become of us if we all woke up tomorrow morning and began to live our lives occording to the Golden Rule? Yes! We would indeed reach for and attain Kingdom Come! Have a look at the 13 I've collected below.
"13 Golden Rules from 13 Differing Religious Beliefs"
CHRISTIAN FAITH
*All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.* ~ The Gospels of Matthew and Luke (Matt 7:12, Luke 6:31)
MUSLIM FAITH
*No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.* ~ Hadith
JEWISH FAITH
*What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor: that is the whole Torah; all the rest of it is commentary; go and learn.* ~ Talmud, Shabbat 31a
BUDDHISM FAITH
*Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.* ~Udana-Varga
NATURISM / MATERIALISM
*Do not do unto others what angers you if done to you by others.* ~Isocrates 436-338 BCE
HINDUISM
*This is the sum of duty; do naught to others that which if done to thee would cause pain.
AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS
*One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts.* ~ Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria)
BAH*'* FAITH
*And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou chooses for thyself.* ~ Epistle to the Son of the Wolf , 30
SIKHISM FAITH
*Precious like jewels are the minds of all. To hurt them is not at all good. If though desirest thy beloved, then, hurt thou not any one's heart.
ZOROASTRIAN FAITH
*Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others.* ~Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29
WICCAN FAITH
*An it harm none, do what thou wilt.* ~ Wiccan Rede
JAINISM
*A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated.* ~ Sutrakritanga 1.11.33
CONFUCIANISM
*Tsekung asked, Is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life? Confucius replied, It is the word shu--reciprocity: Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.* ~ Analects 15.23
