The Golden Rule says, "Do unto others as you'd have others do unto you." So if you hate yourself and want to die then you'd hate others and try to kill people? Am I missing something, or is the golden rule simply not sufficient for use as a general philosophy of life or of every day behavior?
2006-12-07 12:16:45 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Deep down, everyone does not have love for themselves, which I think is one of the major problems among people, the primary cause of evil.
2006-12-07 12:33:36 · update #1
Yes, people who hate themselves do want to die, and they take it out on the rest of us in horrible ways, daily. They smoke, they drink, they behave recklessly because they are trying to extinguish themselves, and following the golden rule, they don't mind taking one of us along with them.
2006-12-07 12:37:41 · update #2
I have thought that same thing numerous times. What about people who like other people to torture and abuse them? Should they go around torturing people because thats what they like?
In a related matter, I always thought the "Love thy neighbor as thyself" statement was rather problematic as well.
Bascially, both these statements are general philosophical principles that sound good in theory but usually do not work in practice.
2006-12-07 12:22:37 · answer #1 · answered by tchem75 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The golden rule could take such people into account in one of two ways.
1. Treating others as you want to be treated means respecting the rights of others apart from your specific desires. People have different desires. My mother wouldn't give me sewing supplies for Christmas in the hope that I will give her sewing supplies. Nor would I give her Family Guy dvds. A masochist can't go around tying up and beating people because that is what he wants others to do to him. He has to respect the rights of others which includes desires that he doesn't share. According to this understanding a person could end their life if that is their desire just as living is the desire of other people. In other words you can't keep a person alive against his will anymore than he can take your life against your will.
~OR~
2. Treating others as you want them to treat you means acting in a person's best interest when they can't act in their own interest. For example taking car keys away from a drunk or getting someone psychiatric help. They may thank you later. You would expect them to act in your best interest in a reversed situation. Some people would argue that preventing suicide is acting in a person's best interest when they are unable to do so.
2006-12-07 13:25:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus never said it was OK to kill another person, even yourself. You have misunderstood the whole concept of the Golden Rule. It amazes me that what God clearly intended for the good of mankind, mankind twists the meaning. I don't think killing someone is every day behaviour. Whatever, God says is to better the life of man not cause confusion.People who want to kill themselves are troubled souls, who need help.
2006-12-07 12:25:16 · answer #3 · answered by angel 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes, it applies, but not in the way you indicate.
deep down, everyone has a love for themselves, despite mental disturbation, and if someone is so mentally unbalanced that they want to kill themsleves, it's because they're completely self-centered (the highest form of self-love) and they think only of themselves. so they love themselves, though that love is a pervesion of the word. it's better described obsession.
however, please consider the implication of the Golden Rule. it was meant to show all the care and respect for others that you often show youself. everyone loves themselves above all else, and we're supposed to love others, equally as much.
it's completely sufficient for life and everyday behavior
2006-12-07 12:24:41 · answer #4 · answered by greasyfries14 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes golden rule says do unto others as you have others do unto you. if you hate yourself how can you love others. if your want is to die you will die why do you try to kill others. if you die how can you kill others as golden rule says ''Do unto others as you'd have others do unto you''.
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2006-12-07 12:27:34 · answer #5 · answered by JACOB J 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The golden rule is those with the gold make the rule.
2006-12-07 12:46:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, you have to follow the first part: Love the Lord with all your body, soul, heart and mind. Once this is taken care of, you can continue with the second part: Love your neighbor as yourself.
2006-12-07 12:29:47 · answer #7 · answered by Krys Tamar 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No one just wants to die ~ They want things to get better ~ hating themself and contemplating suicide is a last resort after things aren't going well.
Do unto others....
2006-12-07 12:21:14 · answer #8 · answered by ♥michele♥ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, if you want other people to kill you and hate you then stay away from me if you're going to follow that rule.
To answer your question, yes, you are missing something.
2006-12-07 12:19:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, you are not making a consistent argument. If you want to commit suicide and want others to allow you that option you should let others have that choice as well. If you would prefer others to talk you out of it you should talk others out of it as well. Committing murder is not the same as committing suicide.
2006-12-07 12:22:10 · answer #10 · answered by Barabas 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋