Right you are, Learn2. It's easy to see how religions struggle to shoe-horn modern ideals of morality into their outmoded codes, conveniently overlooking those of their various gods' commandments that encourage us to stone to death gays, unruly sons and fashionable ladies whose clothes combine textiles of differing manufacture.
The bedrock of all modern morality and ethics is 'love your neighbour -- treat others as you'd like to be treated yourself'. And this is by no means a notion that originated in any particular religion. Long after it became a Darwinian evolutionary necessity, it was picked up and popularised by secular philosophers and then hijacked by pretty well all religions (notably Christianity) that claimed it as their own.
Hang on ... I think I have an interesting list somewhere in my files ...
Yep. Here you go. This one applies to religions only. You'll have to take my word for the fact that it's also Darwinian and an idea promoted by secular philosophers pre-monotheism, or look it up. Not hard to find. Cheers. Neil
Golden Rule in All Religions
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http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc.htmBahá'í Faith: "Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not." "Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself." Baha'u'llah
Brahmanism "This is the sum of Dharma [duty]: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you". Mahabharata, 5:1517 "
Buddhism: "...a state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another?" Samyutta NIkaya v. 353
Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." Udana-Varga 5:18
Confucianism: "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." Mencius VII.A.4
Ancient Egyptian: "Do for one who may do for you, that you may cause him thus to do." The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant, 109 - 110 Translated by R.B. Parkinson. The original dates to 1970 to 1640 BCE and may be the earliest version ever written. 3
Hinduism: This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you. Mahabharata 5:1517
Roman Pagan Religion: "The law imprinted on the hearts of all men is to love the members of society as themselves."
Yoruba: (Nigeria): "One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts."
Zoroastrianism: "That nature alone is good which refrains from doing unto another whatsoever is not good for itself". Dadistan-i-dinik 94:5
Neil
Topic: Religionophobic.