The Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31) is present in most of today’s religions. In the New Testament, Jesus is asked what the most important commandment is. In Mark 12 and Luke 10, He answers that the most important is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Then he says the second most important is to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Despite the Golden Rule’s presence in most religions, in practice, it is one of the most ignored laws of God. It seems most people narrow the definition of “neighbor” (used in both the New Testament and the Quarran) to those people who are like themselves and whom they like and they can take advantage of, mistreat, or kill everyone else, no problem.
This is one example of why I like the concept of progressive revelation. When previous generations ignore or change their understandings of a previous revelation, the next can correct them and basically say, “Hey, I really, really meant this!”
The topic of not only getting along with other people no matter what their religion, skin color, economic status is, but LOVING them and SERVING them is addressed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá over and over and over again. I believe He addresses it many more times than any other single topic.
Jesus — Mark 12:28-31
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
Jesus — Luke 10:25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Mohammad — Quran, 4:36, Surah An-nisa
Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good – to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess [the slave]: For God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious.
Bahá’u’lláh — Tablet to the Son of the Wolf
And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself.
Bahá’u’lláh — Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, Words of Paradise
O son of man! If thine eyes be turned towards mercy, forsake the things that profit thee and cleave unto that which will profit mankind. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself. Humility exalteth man to the heaven of glory and power, whilst pride abaseth him to the depths of wretchedness and degradation.
Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá —
You must manifest complete love and affection toward all mankind. Do not exalt yourselves above others, but consider all as your equals, recognizing them as the servants of one God. Know that God is compassionate toward all; therefore, love all from the depths of your hearts, prefer all religionists before yourselves, be filled with love for every race, and be kind toward the people of all nationalities. Never speak disparagingly of others, but praise without distinction. Pollute not your tongues by speaking evil of another. Recognize your enemies as friends, and consider those who wish you evil as the wishers of good. You must not see evil as evil and then compromise with your opinion, for to treat in a smooth, kindly way one whom you consider evil or an enemy is hypocrisy, and this is not worthy or allowable. You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly. Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred. Let not your heart be offended with anyone. If someone commits an error and wrong toward you, you must instantly forgive him. Do not complain of others. Refrain from reprimanding them, and if you wish to give admonition or advice, let it be offered in such a way that it will not burden the hearer. Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to hearts. Beware! Beware! lest ye offend any heart. Assist the world of humanity as much as possible. Be the source of consolation to every sad one, assist every weak one, be helpful to every indigent one, care for every sick one, be the cause of glorification to every lowly one, and shelter those who are overshadowed by fear.
In brief, let each one of you be as a lamp shining forth with the light of the virtues of the world of humanity. Be trustworthy, sincere, affectionate and replete with chastity. Be illumined, be spiritual, be divine, be glorious, be quickened of God, be a Bahá’í.