Инициатива «Золотого правила» призывает жителей Хадсона к взаимному уважению в новом учебном году

When Mayor Rich O’Connor declared September Golden Rule Awareness month in 2019, he was not proclaiming something new — not by a long shot. Since then, a nonpartisan team of community leaders has joined him, seeking to advance civility, respect and understanding in the area. This team also is not promoting something new — not by a long shot. While the Golden Rule is rightly attributed to Jesus of Nazareth around 2,000 years ago, the concept was nothing new to him or his crowd — not by a long shot as well. The exhortation to do “unto others as you would have them do unto you,” or treat others as you would like to be treated, predates the center point of Christianity. Golden Rule adjacent thinking can be found across continents, cultures, world views and the ages. It’s been promoted and when embraced, has served both the religious and the nonreligious well. Consider these examples. “Do for others so they will do likewise” comes from ancient Egypt between 1900-1800 B.C. Confucius, a humanist and a philosopher stated, that “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others,” between 600-500 B/C. Islam teaches “Do unto all men as you would wish to have done unto you; and reject for others what you would reject for yourself.” Judaism teaches “thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Buddhism says, “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” Native American spirituality, Hinduism, Brahmanism, Atheists, Aristotle and Socrates of Greece and Roman Paganism have all embraced Golden Rule logic. The enduring and cross-cultural embracing of this exhortation underscores its validity. The affirmation of this truth is beyond dispute. Our challenge is in the application. When Golden Rule logic was communicated, it was offered as a tool of self-evaluation. The listener or reader was to consider how they treated others and adjust their behavior to do so in the manner they would like to be treated. The greater the number of adherents, the better. In our current climate some use the Golden Rule not for self-reflection, but as a tool of accusation against those who don’t align with their preferences. This weaponizing can increase defensiveness, animosity and promote self-righteousness. None of these are helpful for a flourishing citizenry. As we have started a new school year and enter an election season where accusations (some true, some false) will abound, the Golden Rule Initiative Team invites you to pursue civility, respect and understanding along with ourselves in our daily interactions instead. Don’t abandon your convictions, but communicate them in a manner that you would like for people to communicate with you, even if those people think differently. Our greatest opportunity for joy does not come from Washington D.C., or even Madison, Wis., but in mutual neighborliness to those nearby. The Hudson area will become increasingly golden as the numbers who embrace and suitably apply the time-tested Golden Rule increase. The Golden Rule starts in the heart. Be Golden. Larry Szyman is president of the Golden Rule Initiative Team. A longtime pastor of Faith Community Church in Hudson, Szyman retired from full-time work with the church in 2024. He’s been a Hudson community member for around 35 years.