Essay on the Golden Rule

Most all religions have a philosophy of “treat others like you would like to be treated”. Though I have found it difficult to find any religion that has not mistreated one or another in the name of their religion, thus nullifying this so-called rule. There were the Medieval and Spanish Inquisitions that resulted in the deaths of approximately 4,250 souls.

The Reformation resulted in a century of Catholic on Protestant slaughter. Were Aztecs following the golden rule when they skinned maidens to appease their serpent God? Even many of the religions scriptures abdicate some form of violence toward others.

Holy Bible

And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death[1]

Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death[2]

[T]he man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.[3]

The Torah

If one person kidnaps and sells another, and [the victim] is seen in his hand, then [the kidnapper] shall be put to death.[4]

Al-Quaran

And for those who accuse their wives, but have no witnesses except themselves, let the testimony of one of them be four testimonies (i.e. testifies four times) by Allah that he is one of those who speak the truth. And the fifth (testimony) (should be) the invoking of the Curse of Allah on him if he be of those who tell a lie (against her). But it shall avert the punishment (of stoning to death) from her, if she bears witness four times by Allah, that he (her husband) is telling a lie.[5]

The woman and the man guilty of illegal sexual intercourse, flog each of them with a hundred stripes. Let not pity withhold you in their case, in a punishment prescribed by Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a party of the believers witness their punishment. (This punishment is for unmarried persons guilty of the above crime but if married persons commit it, the punishment is to stone them to death, according to Allahs Law).[6]

The list goes on and on as to what actions that shall result in death. But the Christian Bible does not stop there. In addition to all of these matters that call for death there are still more that call for corporal punishment which may or may not end in death:

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.[7]

Unfortunately, we here in the United States have seen, quite recently, violence in the name of religion. On September 11, 2001, radical Muslims killed over 3,000 people including the terrorists themselves all in the name of Allah. This is in direct contradiction to the Golden Rule as I’m sure those who committed this act did not wish to have airplanes launched at them while in the calmness of their workplace.

In my opinion, the trouble with scripture is that anyone reading it can find ways to substantiate any position they seek to enforce. Therefore, often radical religious believers will take lines of scripture and apply it to whatever heinous act they intend on accomplishing not once taking into account the antiquated nature of the book itself.

For me, a perfect example is this letter that has made it’s way around the internet many times. I have seen several versions of this addressed to whomever made religious controversial remarks at the time against others but this is in reference to the Christian Bible and, in this case, addressed to Dr. Laura. Many of the verses discussed in this letter are also stark illustrations of contradictions to the Golden Rule:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I

have learned a great deal from your show and try to share that knowledge

with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual

lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22

clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other

specific laws and how to follow them.

1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a

pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They

claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her

period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19-24. The problem is, how

do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev.20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.[8]

As you can see from that letter, following the teachings of the Bible can, in fact, condone various acts that are not in any way legal or moral, yet many of the Bible’s followers will grab hold of remarkably selective verses and promote their own agendas from within the confines of divine providence. I believe that this makes religious crimes far more heinous than crimes of passion or opportunity. At least those who commit those types of acts of violence do not feel vindicated in their actions by a higher power.