Common Threads
“…a believer in God does not allow his brother or sister to go hungry or live in unfortunate condition…” “Whosoever believes in God and the last day, let him not harm or annoy his neighbor…” “Worship God and join none with him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbor who is near of kin who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet)…Verily, God does not like such as are proud and boastful.”(Quran 4:36)
“Love thy neighbor as thyself; do not do to others what thou would not wish to be done to thyself; Forgive injuries. Forgive thy enemy, be reconciled to him, give him assistance, invoke God in his behalf. Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors. (Confucius)
“The full scope of the law of this faith tradition requires believers to protect their fellow man. Believers are commanded not to leave a condition that may cause harm, to construct homes in ways that will prevent people from being harmed, and to help a person whose life is in danger, so long as it does not put the life of the believer in danger. These commandments are so important that they override all of the ritual observations that people think are the most important part of the faith. Almost any commandment may be violated to save a life.” (Judaism 101: Love and Brotherhood website)
The way to happiness is to keep your heart free from hate,your mind from worry. Live simply, give much. Fill your life with love. Do as you would be done by. Sometimes, it is better to be kind than right. If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path. (Guatama Buddha)
“A staunch devotee had undertaken a prolonged fast to empower himself spiritually. When he was about to break his fast, God appeared to him in the forms of starving mendicants and begged him for food and water. Even before he broke his fast, the devotee distributed whatever food and water was available to him and said that, since all are God’s children, the food must nourish everyone.” “Love of neighbor is a fundamental requirement fora believer who aspires for final liberation from this world.” “One should not do unto others that which would cause pain if afflicted on oneself.”(Mahabharata 5:15;17)
“And who is my neighbor?” “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him,and departed, leaving him half-dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite,when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine;then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper,saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’” ‘Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed mercy on him.’ “Go and do likewise.’” (Luke 10: 29-37)
It is not necessary to know what priestly obligations are or what a Levite was or how the Samaritans were regarded by the people to whom the story was being told. The rightness of the action speaks for itself. As the Buddha said “sometimes it is better to be kind than right.” What a gift it is when being kind is the right thing to do.
The commandments, admonitions, and stories above represent the major faith traditions of the world. They articulate beliefs expected of adherents of the faith. In general, they are counter to the messages to which we are subjected from those who can only see themselves as having exclusive access to The Truth.
People of a Certain Age, we have lived a while. We know history. We have shed the naivete that hopes all people will get along all the time. Those people in history articulating the religious principles above were not naïve, either. None suggest that any of us is perfect. They all lay out paths we mortals could follow should we choose to move toward perfection.
The six faith traditions above grew out of historical and philosophical circumstances unique to place and time. They have articulated common, not identical,threads. We can hope for, and aspire to, more understanding about these threads and how they comprise the fabric of humanity, in the past, now, and for all time. The believers in these faith traditions will forever be touching different parts of the elephant (remember the poem, “The Blind Men of Hindustan?”). Perhaps after we depart this life, we will see the whole elephant and understand. I hope so.
For now, as Ellen DeGeneres has said, “why can’t we all get along and just judge each other by the kinds of cars we drive?”
Daniel E. White
December 10, 2018