The Golden Rule — treating others as you wish to be treated — is a moral principle shared by many of the world’s faith traditions. While its wording varies, the core message remains the same: to practice empathy, kindness, and respect toward all.
In Christian Science, the Golden Rule isn’t just a rule to live by; it can transform the way we see the world. The Golden Rule reminds us that we are all God’s children, made in Her image. Cherishing this truth about ourselves and others can lead to healing.
What does the Golden Rule look like across faith traditions?
Many faith traditions, including Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism, include a version of the Golden Rule as a core tenet. The Buddha taught: “Life is dear to all. Put yourself in the place of others and harm none nor have them harmed” (Dhammapada 130). In Judaism, the Talmud instructs: “That which is despicable to you, do not do to your fellow” (Talmud, Shabbat 31a).
In Christianity, Jesus shared the Golden Rule in the Sermon on the Mount, his most well-known teaching:
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:12
Jesus demonstrated the Golden Rule throughout his life, turning the other cheek in the face of constant persecution. When soldiers and religious officials came to arrest Jesus to be crucified, his disciple sliced off the ear of a servant of the high priest. Jesus immediately instructed his followers to put away their swords, and healed the servant’s injury.
Across faith traditions, the Golden Rule carries a common message of kindness and peace toward our fellow man.
How do Christian Scientists view the Golden Rule, and how can it heal?
In Christian Science, we believe that all people are created in the image of God, good. When we see others as God made them—pure, innocent, and loving—it feels natural to treat everyone with kindness.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, explains:
If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless them that curse us;
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 9:11–14
Seeing others as God sees them can dissolve resentment, fear, prejudice, and division. This spiritual perspective can bring healing to our thought, and even to our relationships, communities, and the wider world.
Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts.
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 261:4
How Can the Golden Rule Bring Unity to a Global Community?
Events like the World Cup and other international gatherings bring together people from many nations, languages, and cultures. They remind us that despite our differences, we share a common humanity. As we participate in the World Cup, we have a wonderful opportunity to see people from all around the world as children of the same Father-Mother God, and rejoice together.
One Christian Science Monitor contributor shared how applying the Golden Rule transformed his experience on a baseball team. His teammates had been limiting his playing time because of his age. Feeling resentful at first, the man soon realized that he had the opportunity to transform the way he viewed his teammates. Instead of seeing them as judgmental and unjust, he saw them as joyful and generous, part of the universal brotherhood of God’s man. As his thinking changed, his relationship with his teammates improved, and he began to receive equal playing time.
The Healing Power of the Golden Rule
The Golden Rule isn’t just a tool for improving our behavior. As the Monitor contributor demonstrated, the Golden Rule can transform the way we see the world, leading us toward a greater sense of love, unity, and harmony. As we practice seeing others through the lens of divine Love, we may find that healing begins not only in our own hearts but also in our relationships, communities, and the wider world.
Resources
- Join our World Cup Prayer Watch where we pray for unity and peace among World Cup athletes, international visitors, and SoCal host communities, and share inspiration.
