For Thanksgiving: More on The Golden Rule

There is much to be thankful for, because most Americans I know indeed live a charmed life, yours-truly included, in spades; even many whom are considered "lower class" here in the US have a better standard of living than the average person in most 3rd-world nations. We take a lot for granted, and can often forget to be thankful for what we do have. While dissatisfaction at some level must always exist in order for progress to happen in our lives, sometimes being humble can pay off for us, in deeper character. At base value we are no better than another person, regardless of what we have, what we know, or what we believe. We are capable of sharing without suspicion or condition. Looking down your nose at others, creating breaches in compassion for others resulting from differences, does little more than inevitably impair you. Barriers put up against "them" and the "others" are still walls: The more you erect, the more your life becomes a maze of self-perpetuated obstacles.


I received a copy of this video from Paul McKenna at Interfaith, and it is an inspiring and inclusive homage to the "Golden Rule" and the Ethic of Reciprocity.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ci613QcC5E

Although I am agnostic (with my toes dipped into the pool of Buddhist philosophy), most people I know are Christian. Here is a reminder of those passages in the Bible which mandate compassion for others:

Zechariah 7:9. “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Render true judgment, and show kindness and compassion toward each other.”

James 1:27. "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Exodus 22:21”You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. 22You shall not abuse any widow or orphan. 23If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me, I will surely heed their cry.”

Luke 6:27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”



Have a happy Thanksgiving!