On (Re)discovering The Golden Rule

In this world of information overload which we navigate daily, it’s so rewarding to come across something that resonates with you for its sheer simplicity and deep worth. While listening online to Karen Armstrong’s enlightening speech at the Global Centre for Pluralism’s annual lecture, I was re-introduced to the The Golden Rule; “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. I’ve only known this as a bible verse but I was delighted and and humbled to learn that this principle is to be found throughout the world’s religious texts and has been used by the the greatest thinkers and writers throughout history. 

To really get an understanding of the scale of the breadth and depth of The Golden Rule’s appearance across time and geography it is really worth a look at Rev. Dr. Harry Gensler’s chronological history of the rule, reproduced with permission by the Charter for Compassion, (https://charterforcompassion.org/share-the-charter/golden-rule-chronology). 
Buddha, Confucius, Aristotle, Muhammad and many, many other thinkers from ancient to modern times have shared the rule, re-wording and re-contextualising it in literature and speeches, religious and philosophical texts and political documents; Gensler’s chronology presents a truly awe-inspiring list of the Golden Rule’s usage. One of the most interesting use of the rule I found was its role in the movement for the abolition of slavery. It’s simple appeal for empathy towards others was an ideal provocation for changing the hearts and minds of the white slave owners and it was much-quoted and discussed at the time. John Newton, the famous slave owner-turned abolitionist and writer of the hymn, ‘Amazing Grace’, quoted the Golden Rule in the opening of his book, Thoughts on the African Slave Trade’.

The Golden Rule has been depicted in artwork across the ages too and I was drawn to two examples in particular. One is the illustration by Norman Rockwell which is now hung in the UN Headquarters in New York. 

Norman Rockwell (18984-1978), Golden Rule, 1961. Oil on canvas, 44 1/2" x 39 1/2'. Story illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, April 1, 1961. Norman Rockwell Museum Collections. SEPS: Curtis Licensing, Indianapolis, IN.

Another visual depiction of the Golden Rule is found in a poster design in which the rule is displayed with contributions from 13 of the main world religions. This visually striking display is the work of interfaith minister, Paul McKenna, who led this collaborative project involving faith groups, individuals and graphic designers. The poster also hangs in the UN headquarters, in the Vatican and also countless numbers of schools, interfaith churches and community centres worldwide.

Designed by Karth Vankoon. All rights reserved. Paul McKenna. 2000.

Working for the Aga Khan Development Network, which has pluralism at its heart, I have been gradually gaining a better understanding of what this term means. Today I felt that I went a step further in that understanding and for me it was the revelation that I had known this bible verse from childhood and unquestioningly held the belief that this was solely a Christian principle, but was truly awakened to learn that it was a central tenet that stretched across time and faiths. For me, this was a learning moment in which I had experienced coming to an understanding of pluralism as not merely embracing difference in others, but finding the commonality among us.