Religion & Planet Earth The Golden Rule An ethical code that states one has a right to just treatment, and a responsibility to ensure justice for others. A person attempting to live by this rule treats all people, not just members of his or her in-group, with consideration.

Christianity "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Jesus answering the question, "Who is my neighbor?", by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan Emphasises the needs for positive action that brings benefit to another, not simply restraining oneself from negative activities that hurt another.

Buddhism “Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.” "One should seek for others the happiness one desires for himself" Hinduism "One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire."

Islam “Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.” “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” Judaism “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your kinsfolk. Love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.”

Non-religious Golden Rule "Do not do unto others what angers you if done to you by others." Socrates 436-338 B.C. "We should behave toward friends as we would wish friends to behave toward us." Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) "He sought for others the good he desired for himself. Let him pass." Egyptian Book of the Dead (1580-1350 B.C.) "Do not kill or injure your neighbor, for it is not him that you injure, you injure yourself. But do good to him, therefore add to his days of happiness as you add to your own. Do not wrong or hate your neighbor, for it is not him that you wrong, you wrong yourself. But love him, for Moneto loves him also as he loves you." Shawnees Indians

It does not mean do to others exactly what you like to be done to you It does not mean do to others exactly what you like to be done to you. For example, if you like peanut butter, it does not mean you should feed it to someone who is allergic to it, which can kill him. It does not mean you should take your wife who likes concerts, to a basketball game because you like basketball or invite your Hindu friend to a barbeque because you are a meat lover when you know he is vegetarian.