A Request for The Golden Rule
By Marguerite Thompson
The following excerpt is from a January 22 statement from the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee on immigration, asylum and the right to peaceably assemble:
We consider the exploitation of human beings, the separation of families, and the use of violence and intimidation, to offend the human dignity not only of the oppressed but the oppressor. Apart from the Native Americans, all racial and ethnic groups are immigrants to the United States. Waves of people arrived at different times – some willingly, some unwillingly – from far and varied backgrounds to forge a unique experiment. Some have been oppressed, while others have been favored. The struggle continues to the present day as race, ethnicity, religion, and immigration remain topics of deep passion in our society. However, during this time of deep disagreement, we call for civility and mutual respect.
Every religious tradition holds some form of “The Golden Rule” in its teachings. Whether we are taught to say, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor” or to say, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” or to say, “Love for mankind what you love for yourself”, let us commit to treat each other with the dignity and civility that we would wish for ourselves.