Does the Golden Rule apply in this circumstance?

Question

If you would not want others' religious rules and dogma imposed on you, does it not lead you to the conclusion that you should not try to impose your religious rules and dogma on others?

Are religious people breaking this axiom when they insist that others live by rules that make no sense outside of their faith? (For esample, stem cell research, homosexuality, premarital sex, death with dignity, etc.)

(Although there are some minor nuances, the Golden Rule is most readily understood to mean, "Treat others only in ways that you're willing to be treated in similar circumstances.")

Another example: When Muslims become the majority religion, would you think it proper that they impose a hijab on all women?

Answer 1

Excellent question. America proclaims freedom of religion, but we have NO freedom FROM religion, because christians are taught to push their beliefs on everyone. (Like we've never heard it before...... sheesh, give us a break already)


ps. FYI....... nowhere in the Qur'an does it say women MUST wear the typical hijab...... there is one passage that tells women to "cover their bosoms" and draw their cloaks about them when strangers approach. the hijab, or head covering is totally a CULTURAL thing.

Answer 2

I believe in the golden rule 100%. I also know that there are people out there that are non religious that teach the golden rule just as much as they teach the ABC's. It is a part of life for some.

Answer 3

The problem that you are overlooking with your question is that when something in our country is declared legal then everyone is forced to support it and engage in it.

Here are just some examples: Catholic Charities in California is being forced to provide insurance that covers birth control even though the Catholic Church teaches that birth control is immoral. Pharmacists are forced to provide birth control and now the abortion pill even though they believe this to be immoral. Boy Scouts are forced to allow homosexual leaders even though they believe this is immoral. A Catholic school has been sued because it fired a unmarried female teacher who got pregnant even though that teacher signed a contract with a morals clause stating that she would be fired for actions considered immoral by the Church. Catholic Charities in several states has stopped working with adoptions because they have been told that they cannot discriminate against homosexual and unmarried couples.

If the government chooses to fund stem cell research that means that my tax money goes to fund something that I consider to be immoral. When medicare funds abortions than my tax money goes to fund something that I consider immoral.

I would like to know why others insist that I live by rules that not only make no sense within my faith but are gravely immoral. I am perfectly happy to let you make whatever choices you would like but not when it comes at the expense of me not being able to live as I believe.

So if no organization is ever forced to do something that it considers immoral and individuals can deisgnate that their tax dollars are not to be used used to fund activities they consider to be immoral. Then I say live and let live.

Answer 4

Should we try to impose our beliefs on people like Ted Bundy or other serial killers saying that what they do is wrong?

I think we should. Where the standard stops is the issue your having trouble with, You can't say that Law has no right to legislate morality because that is the exact purpose of law. You just don't appreciate that some think the standard should be so high. In the same way you would set the standards to high for Jeffrey Dahmer.

Answer 5

Rules are effective only because of voluntary compliance, how ever, one still have the right to voice objections on what they believe is wrong, or immoral. This applies to both sides of an issue.

Answer 6

The golden rule is about unconditional tolerance and respect for others. Tolerance means being discerning enough to recognise that forcing your beliefs on other people is not acceptable but it's something that many religionists aren't aware of.

Answer 7

any so called "rules" that god puts into place are for our protection... god is our father and he just wants to protect us like any other father would... i used to think these rules were stupid but since becoming a christian and living the way god wants me to my life has been so much more happy and complication free... by the way im a christian and i have never heard of anyone being against stem cell research... maybe its another denomination than mine...
i just hate that all those denominations that have got it so wrong have ruined it for the rest of us... if every church did church the way god had intended it to be done then nobody would have anything against christians or the christian church...

Answer 8

The Islamic religion orders it's followers to convert people by force.Be advised,if Islam becomes the majority religion,are you going to craw fish and cow down just to save your head or are you going to stand up and fight?If you accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior,when you are asked to convert ,you can take the blade with true intent,and a longing to be with the lord.A christian who is witnessing to you shouldn't be coming across badgering you.Not every christian knows how to witness to a person without being pushy.Some are alarmed and let their emotions take control,and some like myself tend to keep my cool and answer their questions to the best of my ability.I try to tell them in a way that they can relate to.I try to be mindful of their feelings the whole time.I try to give them something tangible that they can grab a holed of.If a witness(not Jehovah witness)that's false doctrine,don't even get off the couch for them,they can offer you nothing.When a christian witness comes to you and shares the truth in love,that's when the lord truly starts working on your heart.It's impossible for an unbeliever to know the elation of a christian who has been washed in the blood of the lamb and saved from eternal damnation.The only way anyone can know is to trust in Jesus.

Answer 9

I feel that it is breaking the axiom. Just as you can't spend rupees in the USA, you cannot foist your beliefs on another.

It's an incompatible system

Answer 10

When we approach a door or person on the street, it is with the intent of dignity, to listen to the other point of view, and then expect the same dignity while we are trying to do the job assigned us by Jesus. And that is to teach God's point of view.
All with the intent of finding the "sheep" or sheep like ones that God is looking for to save and feed spiritually.
Dignity at all times in the aspect of the moment, while we enjoy each others amiable company.
There is much joy in doing God's work, and only his witnesses understand this.