Do Unto Others

by Jackie Barker (lot 130)

The whole world seems to be going crazy. Road rage, looting of stores by gangs and Karens beyond count are in the news every day. What can be done to stop these insane behaviors?

Perhaps the easiest is to go back to the basic foundation of nearly all religions. They speak of how we should treat our fellow beings. If before you yelled at the driver of another car that annoyed you, you think of how it makes you feel if that driver yelled at you, you then make the world a more peaceful place by smiling instead.

If the looting gangs should think of the Daoism teaching before tearing up a store, “Regard your neighbors gains your own gain and your neighbor loss as your own loss”. Would they still cause all the damage? Probably not, think of how much goodness would be in the neighborhood.

And all the Karens of the world should listen to the Judaism lesson. “That which is despicable to you do not do to your fellow and the rest is commentary, go and learn it.” That would stop a lot of the public confrontations over parking spaces and fence lines and children laughing and playing. Ah, blessed peace and quiet.

Other examples are everywhere.

Buddhism, “Hurt not others with that which pains yourself”

Judaism, “That which is despicable to you, do not do to your fellow, this is the whole Torah, and the rest is commentary, go and learn it”.

Confucianism, “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire”.

Of course, then one most of us know, the Christian Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Such a brilliant plan for a peaceful life.

Donald W. Pfaff, PhD. Neuroscientist remarked “If it’s really true that all religions have this ethical principle, across continents and across centuries then it is more likely to have a hardwired scientific basis than it was just a neighborhood custom’. Wouldn’t it be great if some powerful entity would just flip the switch and turn it on in all minds?

Peace brother.

Jackie Barker

3/15/24