Ethicists, historians, sociologists and probably others have wondered whether there is anything that is found in common across the great world religions. And if so, could this be the distillation of the supreme religious mandate? Many have suggested this is indeed the case and the highest statement of humanity is found in the so called, Golden Rule. This is the universal ethical principle of reciprocity that instructs people to treat others as they wish to be treated or to avoid doing to others what they would not want done to themselves.
In the New Testament the Golden Rule is found near the end of the Sermon on the Mount. And this Sunday’s reading from Matthew is similar in that we get a distillation of the teaching of religion in a condensed form –
35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Expressions of the Gold Rule Across Major Religions

Christianity: “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
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Islam: “None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself” (An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadith 13).
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Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour: that is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary” (Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 31a).
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Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause you pain if done to you” (Mahabharata 5:117).
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Buddhism: “Do not hurt others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful” (Udanavarga 5:18).
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Confucianism: “Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself” (Analects 15:24).
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Baha’i Faith: “Aify [Choose] for your neighbour that which you choose for yourself” (Baha’u’llah).
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Sikhism: “The divine light is within everyone; you shall not harbor ill-will against anyone” (Guru Granth Sahib).
This says to me that we humans do not lack for knowledge of how to treat each other. Just the will.
Ray Gorman