It's All the Same Thing!

This is from Jed and he has been a great digital friend who often replies to my writings and gives me insights. There will be about 10 guest posts that I will relay that have submitted insightful reading. Today I am practicing some primitive skills out in the wilderness.

Jed: I immediately practiced a Scott-ism and asked Chat-GPT: "what is the most consistent message across all world religions, philosophies, and meditations?"

The AI's answer surprised me. See if you can figure it out based on excerpts from 10 different religions and philosophies:

• Christianity: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12, NIV)

• Islam: "Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself." (Hadith, Muhammad)

• Buddhism: "Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." (Udanavarga 5:18)

• Hinduism: "This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you." (Mahabharata 5:1517)

• Judaism: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn." (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)

• Confucianism: "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself." (Analects 15:23)

• Taoism: "Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain and your neighbor's loss as your own loss." (T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien)

• Kant: "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." (Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals)

• Nietzsche: "I love him who lives in order to know, and seeks to know in order that the Superman may hereafter live. Thus he seeks his own down-going." (Thus Spoke Zarathustra)

• Stoicism: "When you are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger." (Epictetus, The Enchiridion, Passage 42)

It seems the great shared theme of all religion has little to do with God, and everything to do with how we treat each other.

It's surprising to me that actually many cultures and religions refer to this idea as "the Golden Rule," and not just Christianity. If treating others will lead to some sort of emotional or physical prosperity, I am here for it.

Enjoy your trip, and thanks for this fun writing experiment of yours. -jed

Happy Prez Day

SP