A version of the Golden Rule- "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"- exists in each of the world's major religions, demonstaring the universal importance of right conduct to the Perennial Philosophy. The following examples are excerpted from The World's Living Religions (Charles SCribner's Sons, 1936) by Robert Ernest Hume.
Hinduism. Do naught to others which, if done to thee, would cause thee pain: this is the sum of duty.
Buddhism. A clansman (should) minister to his friends and familiars...by treating them as he treats himself.
Confucianism. The Master replied:"...What you do not want done to yourself, do not do unto others."
Taoism. To those who are good to me, I am good; and to those who are not good to me, I am also good. And thus all get to be good. To those who are sincere with me, I am sincere; and to those who are not sincere with me, I am also sincere. And thus all gets to be sincere.
Zorastrianism. Whatever thou dost not approve for thyself, do not approve for anyone else. When thou hast acted thyself hatest, do to no man.
Judaism. Take heed to thyself, my child, in all thy works; and be discreet in all thy behavior. And what thou thyself hatest, do to no man.
Christianity. All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them.
Greek philosophy. Do not do to others what you would not wish to suffer yourself. Treat your friends as you would want them to treat you.
Chant
by Starhawk
Her name cannot be spoken,
Her face was not forgotten,
Her power is to open,
Her promise can never be broken.
(Spring)
all sleeping seeds She wakens,
the rainbow is Her token,
Now winter�s power is taken,
In love, all chains are broken.
(Fall)
All seeds She deeply buries,
She weaves the thread of seasons.
her secret, darkness carries,
She loves beyond all reason.
She changes everything She touches, and
Everything She touches, Changes. [Repeat � Chant]
Change is, touch is; Touch is, change is,
Change us! Touch us! Touch us! Change Us!
Everything lost is found again,
In a new form, in a new way.
Everything hurt is healed again,
In a new life, in a new day.
[Repeat any and all verses.]
[Page 160 in As Above, So Below]
www.starhawk.org
Starhawk
"The Spiral Dance"
"Twelve Wild Swans"
"The Pagan Book of Living and Dying"
"Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions"
Immanence calls us to live our spirituality here in the world, to take action, to preserve the life of the earth, to live with simplicity and responsibility.
Interconnection is the understanding that all being is interrelated, that we are linked with all of the cosmos as parts of one living organism. What affects one of us affects us all. Interconnection demands from us compassion, the ability to feel with others so strongly that our passion for justice is itself aroused.
Community primarily focuses on the growth and transformation that comes through intimate interactions and common struggles, not individual salvation or enlightenment or enrichment. Community is personal -- one's closest friends, relatives, and lovers, those to whom we are accountable.
The Goddess religion is a conscious attempt to reshape culture. But we CANNOT reshape consciousness by force or through fear, for to do so would only reinforce what we are trying to change. We will experience more repression as we become more visible. But we should never let fear silence us -- or we do the oppressor's work for them.
With courage, vision, humor, and creativity, we can use our magic, our ability to change consciousness, our world view, and our values to reinstate the living web of all interconnected life as the measure by which all choices are judged.
Starhawk
AN IT HARM NONE, DO WHAT YOU WILL.
"To Know,
to Dare, to Will, to keep Silent; these are the four words of the Magus.
In order to Dare, we must Know
In order to Will, we must Dare. We must Will to possess empire. To reign, we must be Silent.
