Volume 6, Issue 5, January 1997

THE GOLDEN PRINCIPLE

Every religion teaches both ethical standards and moral values of behaviour. These standards and values form a central pillar of spiritual identity for the individual and the community. One of these teachings is known as the GOLDEN RULE, or the GOLDEN PRINCIPLE, which describes the wisdom of reciprocity.

Reciprocity is composed of varying degrees of giving and taking. The first degree has been called the IRON PRINCIPLE which speaks of revenge - "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."
The second is the TINSEL PRINCIPLE which speaks of a cautious regard - "treat others as they deserve."

The third is the SILVER PRINCIPLE which speaks of a negative responsibility - "do not do to others what you would not like them to do to you."

The fourth is the GOLDEN PRINCIPLE which speaks of a positive mutual respect - "I will do to you what I would like you to do to me."

Beyond reciprocity, the LOVE PRINCIPLE teaches "the giving of oneself to another with no thought of exchange." The unconditional giving of compassion has no expectation whatsoever of return of any kind.

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"Religion NOW" is published in limited edition by the Rev. Ross E. Readhead, B.A., B.D., Certificate of Corrections, McMaster University, in the interest of furthering knowledge and participation in religion. Dialogue is invited and welcomed.