GHOTI
03-05-2008, 06:44 PM
Our little group of followers of Christ have spent the past 5 ½ months on the Sermon on the Mount. Many of you will say “Wow! Nearly half a year on a couple of chapters of Matthew?” Yep, and it feels like we have only scratched the surface.
Most of us seem to hold great store in sayings found in this particular passage, so I think it worthwhile to address it here. There’s a lot that would be entertaining and thoroughly useful for us, but I only feel like writing on one point at this time. And that is a few comments on the Golden Rule. Well, actually, The Golden Rule vs. The Silver Rule.
The Silver Rule? Probably not too many of us have heard of that, although we tend to follow it nonetheless, and most of the teachings of the various religions cited here center around it. Basically, it is this: “You first, after me.” or “Don't do to others what you don't want done to you.” OK, but isn’t that the Golden Rule? No, it really isn’t.
It is generally believed that Jesus was simply reiterating long-standing teachings of other religions.
Some examples:
1. The HINDU religion taught:
This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done
to thee would cause thee pain.
The Mahabharata
2. The BUDDHIST religion taught:
Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.
Udana-Varga
3. The JEWISH traditions taught:
What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is
the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.
The Talmud
4. The MUSLIM religion taught:
No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother
that which he desires for himself.
Hadith
5. The BAHA'I faith teaches:
He should not wish for others that which he doth not wish
for himself, nor promise that which he doth not fulfil.
The Book of Certitude
6. And Yet Some Other Sources:
Do not do unto others what angers you if done to you by
others.
Isocrates 436-338 BCE
"Tzu-kung asked, 'Is there a single word which can be a guide
to conduct throughout one's life?' The Master said, 'It is
perhaps the word "shu". Do not impose on others what you
yourself do not desire'"
Analects, 15.24
An interesting, but often overlooked point is that Jesus’ “Golden Rule" emanated from a positive application while most of what I’ve quoted above do not. Jesus requires that you treat others favorably, while most religious views on this only prohibit you from committing unfavorable acts toward others.
Jesus - Do unto others what you want them to do to you.
Others - Don't do to others what you don't want done to you.
With the others, all that is required is that you don't harm other people; with Jesus, what is required is that you show kindness to others.
Jesus' rule is truly the GOLDEN rule, the others are SILVER rules (of value, yes, but not as much as "gold")
[The only exception appears to be found in Hadith (the traditions of Islam); but then, some of Islam is admittedly based upon what Jesus taught 600 years before Mohammed.]
So Jesus’ teaching on that hillside was revolutionary compared to what "uninspired" teachers had previously proclaimed.
But in another sense it was nothing new; rather, in a simple and easy-to-remember statement, Jesus gives us a ready-made principle for living with others. That is, something that is always ready to be used. For example, even in an emergency, when there is no time to consult a friend, teacher, or book for advice, or even PTO, the "golden rule" can be an valuable guide for proper conduct. Treat others as you would like to be treated, and it is unlikely you will ever do the wrong thing.
And what are the basic points of that famous sermon?
a. Be careful in your judgment of others.
b. Persevere in looking to God for help in making proper discernment.
c. In your treatment of others, treat them like you want to be treated. (The Golden Rule)
Most of us seem to hold great store in sayings found in this particular passage, so I think it worthwhile to address it here. There’s a lot that would be entertaining and thoroughly useful for us, but I only feel like writing on one point at this time. And that is a few comments on the Golden Rule. Well, actually, The Golden Rule vs. The Silver Rule.
The Silver Rule? Probably not too many of us have heard of that, although we tend to follow it nonetheless, and most of the teachings of the various religions cited here center around it. Basically, it is this: “You first, after me.” or “Don't do to others what you don't want done to you.” OK, but isn’t that the Golden Rule? No, it really isn’t.
It is generally believed that Jesus was simply reiterating long-standing teachings of other religions.
Some examples:
1. The HINDU religion taught:
This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done
to thee would cause thee pain.
The Mahabharata
2. The BUDDHIST religion taught:
Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.
Udana-Varga
3. The JEWISH traditions taught:
What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is
the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.
The Talmud
4. The MUSLIM religion taught:
No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother
that which he desires for himself.
Hadith
5. The BAHA'I faith teaches:
He should not wish for others that which he doth not wish
for himself, nor promise that which he doth not fulfil.
The Book of Certitude
6. And Yet Some Other Sources:
Do not do unto others what angers you if done to you by
others.
Isocrates 436-338 BCE
"Tzu-kung asked, 'Is there a single word which can be a guide
to conduct throughout one's life?' The Master said, 'It is
perhaps the word "shu". Do not impose on others what you
yourself do not desire'"
Analects, 15.24
An interesting, but often overlooked point is that Jesus’ “Golden Rule" emanated from a positive application while most of what I’ve quoted above do not. Jesus requires that you treat others favorably, while most religious views on this only prohibit you from committing unfavorable acts toward others.
Jesus - Do unto others what you want them to do to you.
Others - Don't do to others what you don't want done to you.
With the others, all that is required is that you don't harm other people; with Jesus, what is required is that you show kindness to others.
Jesus' rule is truly the GOLDEN rule, the others are SILVER rules (of value, yes, but not as much as "gold")
[The only exception appears to be found in Hadith (the traditions of Islam); but then, some of Islam is admittedly based upon what Jesus taught 600 years before Mohammed.]
So Jesus’ teaching on that hillside was revolutionary compared to what "uninspired" teachers had previously proclaimed.
But in another sense it was nothing new; rather, in a simple and easy-to-remember statement, Jesus gives us a ready-made principle for living with others. That is, something that is always ready to be used. For example, even in an emergency, when there is no time to consult a friend, teacher, or book for advice, or even PTO, the "golden rule" can be an valuable guide for proper conduct. Treat others as you would like to be treated, and it is unlikely you will ever do the wrong thing.
And what are the basic points of that famous sermon?
a. Be careful in your judgment of others.
b. Persevere in looking to God for help in making proper discernment.
c. In your treatment of others, treat them like you want to be treated. (The Golden Rule)