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Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The Compass

There’s a little brouhaha going on in the blogosphere. Someone who used to be a Christian is now an Atheist. O.K. I’m cool with that. I’d actually be cool with just about any point A to point B transition that a person wanted to make. To each his or her own. Unfortunately, the gal making the transition is slamming (hard) where she used to be. Perhaps that’s what she needs to do to fully break free. I get it, but I don’t like it. It feels a little immature, rather like a teenager lashing out against authority as they separate and individuate.

However, the whole thing got me thinking about kindness, about intention and about the Golden Rule: Treat others as you wish to be treated; Love others as you love yourself. As Hillel is credited with saying: Everything else is commentary... The wonderful thing about what we know as the Golden Rule is that it emerged in some form in many ancient cultures. It’s a common rule of humanity. Do we all live up to it? Sadly, no. Have some cultures and societies disregarded it? Sadly, yes. Yet if you asked people, on camera, under oath “Is the Golden Rule a good tenet to live by?” I believe most everyone would say yes. They might want to qualify it, embellish it or tack on other rules and regulations. But I think we could easily find common ground there. The Golden Rule is a sort of wonderful passport or Rosetta Stone or compass; a peaceable, moral way of understanding each other and behaving in the world.

Or, as I like to say: “The Golden Rule has never jumped up and bit me on the ass.” And yes, you can quote me on that!

8 comments:

Ms Brown Mouse said...

Ooo, well, I know it's not me, I did all that when I actually was a teenager - linkies? I love a good brouhaha!

Sue said...

Not me either... I wish more people took heed of life's Golden Rule, the world would be a much happier, safer place! My personal version is to not to say anything about anyone that I wouldn't say directly to them. I try; I'm not always good about it... :)

Unknown said...

Did I open up a can o worms???

:o)

I agree 100%

Pink Granite said...

Hi DMM -
No, it's not you! You've been very clear about the "imaginary friend", LOL!
I stumbled on it all after my sister Gail sent me the Pomplamoose link. It's Rechelle of "My Sister's Farmhouse".
;o)


Hi Sue -
That's an excellent rule to live by! I've also heard that if we are in a group where people are speaking ill of someone who is absent, we should stand up and speak for the person not present. Under some circumstances that can be very difficult!
;o)


Hi Gail -
No, no - no can o worms wriggling up here! It's all quite fascinating actually. Thanks for leaving the trail of breadcrumbs!
;o)
- Lee

Kate said...

Reminds me of the (bad) joke..."did you hear about the insomniac agnostic dyslexic? He lays awake all night wondering if there's a dog"

Pinky's Pages said...

Brilliant Post...
Hugs, xx

Pink Granite said...

Hi Kate -
LOL!
Uncle Chuck read that to Nana while we were running errands with her this afternoon. It took her a couple of minutes but she got it!
;o)
- A.L.


Hi Lailaa -
Thank you!
;o)
- Lee

Unknown said...

Ya still got it, Kate.

Mom