On Aug 6, 2007, at 5:30 PM, Dan Minettte wrote: > So, my best formulation of the Golden Rule is to "love your neighbor > as yourself." I like the symmetry in this; one needs to love and > respect oneself as well as other people. Practical aspects of this > are difficult and subject to debate, of course, but I think it is > beneficial to one to think about this before acting.
Indeed, this is just the formulation put by Jesus on what was likely already an old saw, as the second-greatest commandment, behind "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." I've seen this second-greatest commandment described as calling us to value or appreciate others' worth. It follows from that reasonable understanding that this does not require that we be codependents. By Williams' extreme example, I am reminded of the proverb, "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it." We know from the Terri Schiavo case that there are plenty who believe that euthanasia is murder and would withhold it from a loved one who suffers. Not everyone who believes in the Golden Rule thinks that way, even though I am equally certain that anyone with access to Google and the desire to make religion look ridiculous could find dozens and dozens of proof texts that show just the opposite. The Golden Rule only works when it is applied reasonably. Dave _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
