Letters: Golden rule without God
Re “An evolving vote,” Opinion, May 13
Many Christians believe that the golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” originates in the Bible. They are wrong. The 4,000-year old Hindu Anusasana Parva says, “One should never do that to another which one regards as injurious to one’s own self.” Similar statements are found worldwide.
The nonsectarian, worldwide golden rule precedes all modern religions, providing a window into an antiquity when behavioral rules were not backed by a god’s will. We absorb our human nature from other humans. Whatever helps us tolerate one another helps us survive in a dangerous world.
The golden rule is an ancient tool for mutual survival.
Chuck Almdale
North Hills
When calling some African American ministers after announcing his support for gay marriage, President Obama evoked the name of Christ.
As a firm believer in the trinity, legalizing homosexual marriage is an act of man, not God, so leave his holy name out of it.
Anna Koepke
El Sobrante, Calif.
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