The Golden Rule

The golden rule as endorsed by all the great world religions is best interpreted as saying: "Treat others only in ways that you're willing to be treated in the same exact situation." To apply it, you'd imagine yourself in the exact place of the other person on the receiving end of the action. If you act in a given way toward another, and yet are unwilling to be treated that way in the same circumstances, then you violate the rule.

The golden rule, with roots in a wide range of world cultures, is well suited to be a standard to which different cultures could appeal in resolving conflicts. As the world becomes more and more a single interacting global community, the need for such a common standard is becoming more urgent. (Gensler, Blackwell Dictionary of Business Ethics)

In the light of growing global humanitarian needs, Stephen M. Apatow, founder of Humanitarian Resource Institute is making an international appeal for religious leaders to refocus on "The Golden Rule Principle," as the most significant objective and message for their faith communities.

The Golden Rule Principle:

Christianity: "So in everything, do to others, what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets"
-- New Testament: MT 7:12 NIV

Buddhism: Treat not others in ways that yourself would find hurtful.
-- Udana-Varga 5.18

Baha'i: Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.
-- Baha'u'llah Gleanings

Confucianism: One word which sums up the basis for all good conduct...loving kindness. Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself.
-- Confucius Analects 15:23

Hinduism: This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.
-- Mahabharata 5:1517

Islam: Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.
-- The Prophet Mohammed, Hadith

Judaism: What is hateful to you do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole torah; all the rest is commentary.
-- Hillel, Talmad, Shabbat 31a

Native Spirituality: We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.
-- Chief Dan George

Janism: One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.
-- Mahavira, Sutravitanga

Sikhism: I am no stranger to no one; an no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am a friend to all.
-- Guru Granth Sahib, pg.1299

Taoism: Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain, and your neighbors loss as your own loss.
-- T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien, 213-218

Unitarianism: We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent of all existence of which we are a part.
-- Unitarian principle

Zoroastrianism: Do not unto others what is injurious to yourself.
-- Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29

A Golden Rule Poster, created by Paul McKenna, is available from CoNexus Press. For more reading, click here.