Observations and inanities by a second-shift assistant supervisor in the Puppy-Grinding division of the Evil Atheist Conspiracy® (our motto: "Sure it's cruel, but think of the jobs!"), your host, Brent Rasmussen.
The Golden Rule
Until recently, I'd taken for granted that the golden rule was a good and reasonable rule to live one's life by.
"Do unto others as you would have done unto you"
Seems pretty harmless. However, it was pointed out to me that this rule, well....kind of sucks. This rule allows for people to make value judgements about how they should treat other people based on how they themselves would like to be treated. This opens the door for some truly obnoxious behaviour. For instance a godder could well justify their proselytizing by saying to themselves, "If I weren't saved I certainly would want to hear about Jesus' love!" And that, of course, is the mildest of examples.
Does anyone have a short platitude to replace it?
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I prefer the older versions
His disciples asked him and said to him, "Do you want us to fast? How should we pray? Should we give to charity? What diet should we observe?"
Jesus said, "Don't lie, and don't do what you hate, because all things are disclosed before heaven. After all, there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and there is nothing covered up that will remain undisclosed."
- Thomas 6
and not to let the Jewish side of the family down:
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it."
– Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a
What's interesting about these formulations is that they're negative, rather than positive and yet that results in a better guide to behavior. Instead of thinking "boy I wish my neighbor would mow my lawn, so I better get to work on theirs" you have a much more useful guide - don't do what you know to be a shitty thing to do.
The Platinum Rule
"Be lawful, be fair, and so long as no one is hurt by it, treat others the way they want to be treated."
I actually knew a divorced mom who's ex-husband used the golden rule as a defense for sexually abusing her two daughters. I came up with this version after I heard that.
If You Were Them
Rick,
I think the correct interpretation is: "Do unto others as you would want done if you were them."
In that way it requires you to look outside yourself and, in many cultures' terms, walk a mile in their moccasins. It also eliminates the (IMHO) ludicrous argument that, "Well, I'm a masochist, so I really should beat the hell out of this person to make her happy."
Kinda catchy, no?
Do unto me or I'll undo do you
vern
vgblog@thegillfamily.us
http://vernsblog.thegillfamily.us:8180/
I'm with Downey.
"Don't be a dick," et al seems very reasonable to me.
Do Not...
Do not do unto others that which you would not have done to you.
That way you don't treat others badly but can't take "positive" steps like preaching. In other words, don't be evil but leave others alone.
Don't...
"Don't be a dick." Countless variations, all with the same basic meaning.
Jim Downey
"Sometimes I think we're alone. Sometimes I think we're not. In either case, the thought is staggering."
- R. Buckminster Fuller
...
"Treat others as they wish to be treated."
Admittedly this is rooted in (progressive) Judaism, but...
"Do things that Improve the World."