OPINION: The Golden Rule, still universal and still relevant, but still often ignored

We realize that talking about the Golden Rule may not be an exciting subject. There are political issues, economic problems, environmental crises, street and white-collar crime, moral and ethical violations, and much more that would more immediately grab one’s attention. 

The writer, nevertheless, turned to the Golden Rule as a result of reflecting on things that he closely studied as a student at Jackson State University in light of America’s contemporary predicament. Back in the early 1960s, he read the scriptures from Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and various other faith traditions which embody the essence and spirit of the Golden Rule. They all expressed the idea that, “one should treat others as he/she would like to be treated,” or the reverse verbiage, saying that, “one should refrain from treating others as he/she would not like to be treated.”

We had considered writing this week about how wrong it is for a state legislature, as in Oklahoma, to require that presence and study of the Holy Bible in each public school classroom; an article that still needs writing. We chose, however, to write on it from a broader perspective. 

While the writer is and for his entire life has been a Christian, he realizes that the Oklahoma law is an example of bullying and a violation of the conscience of those citizens who are not Christian. Furthermore, the Oklahoma law is likely a test case that will enable the practice to become nationwide via a Supreme Court ruling. Before this happens, however, we need to ask ourselves, “what would the Golden Rule require?”

From that kind of example, one can look around and consider other situations. There are people who, through no fault of their own, cannot afford adequate healthcare, should their fortunate neighbor oppose expanding Medicaid which would enable them to receive that care? If there are people in other countries who are suffering from poverty, political oppression, criminal subjugation, and the like, who decide to flee to America via the southern border, how should voting citizens respond based upon the Golden Rule? The same holds true when it comes to countries suffering attacks from their neighbors? In short, the Golden Rule can and should be the standard for humanity universally.

One can clearly venture to say that the Atlantic Slave Trade and the accompanying existence of slavery in America illustrates what can and did happen when the powers of Europe ignored (no trampled upon) the Golden Rule. Enslaved Africans were not treated as these Europeans themselves desired to be treated. They treated Africans as less than humans. Unfortunately, their trampling on the Golden Rule became their cultural norm, supported by not just the governments, but the educational and religious institutions as well.

What was unloosed during the period of slavery continues to affect the entire society. European Americans and others whom they consider white people continue to be privileged and advantaged. African Americans and those who are not covered by the classification, “white,” continue to be oppressed through practices of institutional/systemic racism. Yes, racism today is a direct product of those in power ignoring or refusing to live by the principle called the Golden Rule.

There is nothing magical or mysterious about the Golden Rule. It seems to be embedded in the psyche and soul of people everywhere. Some have tried to promote it through their religious practices. Some have had it verbalized in the curricula of their schools. Even some parents have supported the idea in their families. People generally realize its truth, wisdom, and validity.

What has often blunted the full-scale practice of the principle, however, is that ethnocentrism or tribalism sets in and people then act according to those feelings. What also happens is that often egotism or greed rear their heads and people act as selfish individuals. We realize that these explanations do not excuse the shortcomings. We realize that the explanations will not cause people to become immediately converted. Our hope, however, is that more individuals meditate on it and consider how they can reverse the behaviors.

The burden falls more heavily upon individuals based upon their power, wealth, intellect, maturity, and so forth. “To whom much is given, much shall be required.” Yet, it is the duty of everybody to figure out what they need to do in each situation in order to, in fact, be treating another person or group as they would like to be treated. Believe me, there are millions of opportunities for practicing the Golden Rule in a racist, sexist, class, and age divided society such as Mississippi and the rest of the American society that may have been likewise plagued.