Strenthening universal humanity

Our local paper carries a syndicated column by a man who cares passionately about his fellow human beings, Andrew Greeley. This week he laments, "Bigotry never goes away."

To bring a spiritual viewpoint to this issue, spiritual needs defining. For me, spiritual means finding out what God as infinite good knows about whatever the problem is. This disease of the soul called bigotry is, well, it's hate, though thinly disguised as prejudice, intolerance, racism. The reason hate is a problem, is because it kills. It starts by killing joy and hope, dignity and self-worth. If not halted, it kills people.

There is an antidote to bigotry, a cure for the disease. It's called the Golden Rule, and every major religion espouses this "Treat others as you would like to be treated, and do it first" in some form. Christianity posts it in Christ Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount --a nutshell summary of his teachings (Matthew chapters 5-7).

Hate is nothing new. Jesus ran into it all the time, but he didn’t buy into it. His life-purpose was to teach people about a God of Love, a God of Truth, a God of Life. This Sermon shows what is natural to man as God knows us, shows an alternative to inward-turning.

Jesus advised on a personal level, explaining genuine Christianity to individuals. Be merciful, he said. Be a peacemaker. Thirst after God and your relationship to this infinite Love who created you. Don’t judge others, he warned, because frankly you are not qualified – you wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny yourself. And - he walked his talk.

His words invite brotherhood – caring about humanity enough to find solutions that include the needs of those struggling for a better life.

His words invite spiritual humility, that mental strength that expects and finds God's hand in human affairs, turning things around for the better.

His words invite us to be God-centered, good-centered, instead of self-centered.

Grabbing the initiative – do it first!

“The Golden Rule” is found in some form or other in most world religions:

• Buddhism: Treat not others in ways that you yourself find hurtful.
• Confucianism: One word sums up the basis of all good conduct… loving kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.
• Christianity: In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.
• Jainism: One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.
• Judaism: What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary

The contemporary Bible translation, The Message, says it this way: Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior. Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. This catches the spirit of Jesus’ words. “Take the initiative. Do it first.”

Take the initiative to be kind, thoughtful, gracious – before the other person even knows what’s happening.

Wonderful illustration: People I know faced a sudden medical crisis. An ambulance rushed the mom to the hospital. The aunt stayed with the children. Immediately a neighbor appeared at the door. He said he and his wife had no plans that night or the next day and would be glad to help in any way. After the children were asleep, the aunt called them, and Linda came over and spent the night with the children so auntie could join the dad at the hospital.

Linda further arranged for a group of church friends to bring meals every other day for the next two weeks so the family wouldn’t have to worry about cooking.

These two families were of different faiths. Yet Linda and her husband grabbed the initiative and helped ease a difficult time for my friends. Their love was practical and very much appreciated.

What touched me about this story is that Linda and her husband weren't just talking their faith, they were living it. A great example for me to follow!

Story of a guy who seized the initiative while on a business trip.

Cats and the Golden Rule

My niece has two indoor cats who enjoy life, and spend a lot of time playing together. Recently an orange tabby walked past their patio. Midnight felt threatened and arched his back, fluffed his tail and screamed at Fluff. Terrified, Fluff arched her back, fluffed her tail, and screamed back. Niece separated them until the tabby strolled out of sight, and harmony returned.

She learned this reaction is called displaced aggression. When a cat’s territory is intruded on, and the cat cannot do anything about it (being indoors) he may attack someone else instead – hence Fluff’s concern. People behave this way too. Dad or Mom has a hard day at work, comes home and is short with his spouse; who scolds their son who lashes out at his younger brother, who kicks the dog, who nips the sleeping cat who hasn’t any idea what’s going on.

All reaction, isn’t it? I’m loving to learn that we don’t have to react. My mom used to advise, “Count to ten,” when something angers you. Cool off and think of a constructive response. Now we both have found the Golden Rule Jesus taught is even better – treat others the way you wish to be treated. The more consistently I manage to do that, the happier my day goes. Even when the unforeseen tabby – the unwelcome character or event – intrudes, that Golden guideline for relationships (as I remember to apply it) keeps me in line. No aggression, no arched backs, no chain reaction. Best of all, it let’s me help others find their peace and self-worth.

Thanks to Lezli Larsen for the peaceful photo!