By the Way: The Golden Rule
By Rev. Jim Hillson on July 6, 2019.
Religious teaching is at its best when deep truths are offered in simple language. That is what makes The Golden Rule so compelling. The rule says: Always treat others the way you want them to treat you. One of the first things to notice is that the rule insists everyone is included. It isn’t just a rule confined to relations with people we like, or neighbours we know. It is about relations with everybody, friends, strangers. And yes, Jesus of Nazareth did insist that even our enemies are included. Karen Armstrong, somebody whose writing I have valued for most of my professional life, suggests that The Golden Rule embodies compassion as its base principle. She remarks that in spite of knowing and preaching The Golden Rule, virtually every religion has a history of intolerance. She says, “I want people to hear the compassionate voice of religion.” The principle of compassion means that any interpretation of scripture that breeds disrespect or hatred or violence is illegitimate. The principle of compassion encourages a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity. It means that we seek an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings. We cannot build a safer world by walling ourselves off from each other or arming ourselves against each other. The Golden Rule isn’t just a rule about personal relationships. It is a rule about how we build a planet that works for all of us. Because if the planet doesn’t work for all of us than all of us are at risk. The Golden Rule is both personal and political. When the personal becomes political, that is when we seek a nation and a world where all of us are watching out for each other and taking care of each other, and offering out best selves to our relationships with each other. And if from time to time we fall short of doing our best, then is the time when we most need the compassion of others to lift us up and see us back on track again. Reverend Jim Hillson is Minister Emeritus at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church. You can learn more about Karen Armstrong and her work at charterforcompassion.org. 12-11
