Leo R. Sandy

To the editor,

Doris Morrissette, in her April 7 letter, expresses the golden rule quite well. Our ancestors came to the U.S. to escape religious intolerance only to practice their own brand of it here and it still persists in some quarters. No religious group should be indicted for the actions of some of its members. Here is the golden rule restated in several religions:

Buddhism: Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." Udana-Varga 5:18

Christianity: "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." Luke 6:31, King James Version.

Confucianism: Tse-kung asked, 'Is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life?' Confucius replied, 'It is the word 'shu' -- reciprocity. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.'" Doctrine of the Mean 13.3

Confucianism: "Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence." Mencius VII.A.4

Hinduism: This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you. Mahabharata 5:1517

Islam: "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." Number 13 of Imam "Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths."

Judaism: "...thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Leviticus 19:18

Judaism: "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. This is the law: all the rest is commentary." Talmud, Shabbat 31a. (See also Tobit 4:15.)

Leo R. Sandy

New Hampton