Who said that because I don't agree with you that you are wrong? I was reading the book below I referenced when the idea below rang through my head. I’ve been so caught up in the recent latest bickering on who is right and wrong, I pondered this question over the weekend.
When did we kill the Golden Rule?
Can anyone watch a news channel without it becoming a I'm right and you are wrong debate? Are so blinded to see that the sensationalism is what's generating ad revenue because everyone wants to be drama free but they can't avoid looking at drama like cars slowing down at the scene of an accident? If you don't believe me just go on Facebook and start scrolling. You can start an article about Cap'n Crunch and it escalates into name calling. Try it.
Greg Epstein says it here:
Throughout the ages religions of many kinds have contained a common spirit. We can see this in parts of their scriptures.
In Brahmanism we find: This is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you. (Mahabharata 5, 1517).
In Buddhism: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful” (Udana-Varga 5, 18)
In Christianity: “All things whatsoever ye would that man should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7, 12).
In Confucianism: “Is there one maxim which ought to be acted upon throughout one’s whole life? Surely it is the maxim of loving-kindness: DO not unto others what you would not have them do unto you” (Analects 15, 23).
In Islam: “No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself” (Sunnah).
In Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not to your fellowman. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary” (Talmud, Shabbat 31d)
In Jain scriptures: “The essence of right conduct is not to injure anyone.”
(From: Good Without God, What a Billion Non-Religious People Believe by Greg Epstein)
Can we get back to basics with something so simple?
Can we stop trying to scream at each other over who is right and wrong?
Can we treat people who don’t think look, speak, or act we do, like we want to be treated?
Can we treat others not like us, like we want to be treated?
Can we treat women like we want to be treated?
Can we treat men like we want to be treated?
Are we doomed when we can’t see the deeper message in a statement so simple children can learn this?
I think we are.
It's a dismantling of fundamentals because of the propagation of bad ideas without challenge that spread like a virus.
The wrong message is being imprinted in the generations following us. We are telling the next generation that it’s me, and me only. My group is right and this is the only way to go. If everyone believes this then we have the makings of a serious problem. I believe as Greg stated in his book, referenced above, “that I am more of a person when I am helping you to be more of a person.” Who is going to make the first move and stand against the current? Who is going to pull the knife out of the back of the Golden Rule? Who is going to listen to the voices that want to be heard? And once they speak will they listen? Who is going to plunge empathy into their hearts?
I am. Who’s in?