to Tom, John, et.al.
The comments on this thread are provocative,but I need help. Since I find
that most people are honest, well-meaning, have a low tolerace for pain,
etc.and understand good citizenship, I feel that we would see some
improvement if every one practiced the Golden Rule. It is also amazing to
me how many children do not even know what the golden rule is and (maybe a
correlation, not necessarily cause and effect)that bullying is a growing
and serious problem among younger and younger children.
My concerns are these: I meet a lot of bullies (big and little ones).
Most who beat up on others(figuratively and literally, in the workplace
and outside) as they were beaten up upon, feel they are helping others and
showing that they care. They think being beaten up upon made them what
they are today and they like their reflection in the mirror.
Secondly, a few years back, when there was a lot of commotion around what
qualifies a person to be appointed a Judge on the supreme court, I
attended a lecture at Northwestern on a historical perspective on the
qualifications Judges should have. Nothing earth shattering, here, but one
thing that did strike me was that to the ancient Hebrews, the #1
qualification for appointment to Judge in the High Court was kindness.
Help me here with my thinking: Do unto others as you would have them to do
unto you - makes YOU the sole Judge of what "others" would like (which I
think is dangerous). I think it also leaves out the element of kindness as
I don't think you can be kind to another without
knowing/understanding/having empathy with their concerns as they see them.
Thomas P Benjamin wrote:
> I went into the root of the Golden Rule: Mathew 7:12 (Holy Bible) states
> the Golden rule as follows: " Therefore, whatever you want men to do to
> you, do also to them, for this is the law and the Prophets." The verse is
> also stated differently in Luke 6:31 "And, just as you want men to do to
> you, you also do to them likewise."
>
> The two verses appear to be translating the great law " You shall love
> your neighbour as yourself". This law in turn is said to be a summary of
> the six commandments 5 to 10 of the ten commandments. To go further into
> understanding the intent of the rule: We are made in Gods image. So also
> the neighbour was made in his image. I like the imagery of the mirror
> stated by John. If we love ourselves, then we expect to be treated in a
> way that translates that love of ourselves. It is this mirroring that is
> translated into action towards our neighbour. I think this will make a
> good sermon. If the rule is lived through, we could have peace - world
> peace.
>
> Thomas P Benjamin
Carol Sager, Sager Educational Enterprises
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