The Golden Rule

" We don’t want to hate and despise one another. In this world, there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. You have the love of humanity in your hearts! You don’t hate! Only the unloved hate - the unloved and the unnatural!.."-Charlie Chaplin in 'The Great Dictator. Read more below:

http://www.charliechaplin.com/en/articles/29-The-Final-Speech-from-The-Great-Dictator-

A good friend Muhammad Isa ßappah, via WhatsApp, sent me a video that got me into thinking about humanity as a whole-the level to which man has degenerated into loosing his own soul of humaneness. The focusing on what only divide us and forgetting about the thousand of things that unite us, the hate, the acrimony, the manipulation, the anger, the mistrust, the lust for blood and the social acceptance of hate and hate speeches in our societies.

Putting the above into consideration, I decided to say a few words on an important principle all of humanity should hold dear and practice religiously. This is the principle of the 'Golden Rule'.

The Golden Rule is a principle found in nearly all the religions of the world. It states generally: 'One should treat others in a way that he wants to be treated or wish upon others what you wish upon yourself'

This basic principle is what each and every Nigerian should be taught at young age. They should know it like their names. It should be psychologically infused into the fabric of their mental faculty. To the adults, they should study and put it to good use- study of comparative religion not for polemics, but improving social integration and understanding.

Let see what the Religion of Judaism, Christianity and Islam say about this principle:

In Judaism:

You should not take vengeance or bear grudges against your kinfolk. Love your neighbors as yourself. I am the LORD! Levictus 19:18

Similar verses: Levictus 19:34
Further reading :http://www.jewfaq.org/brother.htm

In Christianity:

Do others what you want them to do to you. This is the meaning of the law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets. Mathew 7:12

Similar verses: Luke 7:12, Luke 10: 20-25, Galatians 5:14

Further reading: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/change/christian-conversion/the-sermon-on-the-mount/the-golden-rule/

In Islam:

“None of you has faith until he loves for his brother or his neighbor what he loves for himself.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 72

There are Quranic verses encouraging patience, tolerance and rewarding evil with good like in:

Repel evil with that which is best: We are well acquainted with the things they say Quran 23:96.

Similar verses: Quran 13:22, Quran 41:34, Quran 28:54, Quran 42:40

Further reading: http://islam.ru/en/content/story/golden-rule-islam

Deduction from above

In all honesty, we have to start looking inwards and reflecting on ourselves and actions. We need to encourage teachings that unite rather than divide. We need to create the social condition that will not encourage the sheer greed and selfishness of us to lead. A just society. An intellectual society and a progressive society.

Let there be peace!

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