Bullying and Religion
In this latest epidemic of teen suicide around being gay or simply being perceived as gay we see what happen when religious rhetoric is hateful, divisive and/or assumes there is one single truth that must be imposed upon everyone. This religious rhetoric is picked up be those least able to discern its impact, due to youth or lack of experience. It is then carried out upon others with a vengeance that is terrifying, humiliating, and unconscionable.
Every world religion or spiritual tradition speaks about how we are to be with each other. Let us speak these truths so loudly, that they become the dominant topic of the day.
Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Buddhism, Udana-Varga 5,1
Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. Christianity, Matthew 7.12
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Judaism and Christianity. Leviticus 19.18
Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence. Confucianism. Mencius VII.A.4
Tsekung asked, "Is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life?" Confucius replied, "It is the word shu--reciprocity: Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you." Confucianism. Analects 15.23
One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire. Hinduism. Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva 113.8
This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you. Hinduism, Mahabharata 5,1517
Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. Islam. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13
A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated. Jainism. Sutrakritanga 1.11.33
What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Judaism, Talmud, Shabbat 3id
Regard your neighbor's gain as your gain, and your neighbor's loss as your own loss. Taoism, Tai Shang Kan Yin P'ien
That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself. Zoroastrianism, Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5
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