Good day to you, and welcome to "A Word from the Vine." I'm Pastor Loren Christensen of Danish Countryside Chapel in Exira, Iowa. Today, we delve into a principle that transcends cultural, religious, and geographical boundaries—the Golden Rule. This simple yet profound guideline, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," is a cornerstone of ethical behavior and moral conduct. It is a universal principle found in many of the world’s major religions, each expressing it in their unique way, yet all pointing to the same fundamental truth.
In the fall of 1987 at Iowa State University, I was introduced both to a dear friend, Dr. Ted Solomon, and the subject of comparative religion in a class he was teaching. And what I got out of both my interactions with Ted over the years as well as in his class is something that he often said, arms outstretched with his pipe in his mouth, “God is everywhere!” This universality of God is something that binds us as humans, and if you take the time to explore it, you’ll find that across the spectrum of humanity, we have more in common in our different faiths than you would expect. And central to this commonality is the universal principle of the Golden Rule.
Our purpose in these next episodes of "A Word from the Vine" is to explore how this principle unites us as human beings and guides us in our daily lives. We will look at how the Golden Rule is articulated in various religious traditions and consider its implications for our personal conduct and our interactions with others. By understanding and embracing this universal concept, we can foster a more compassionate and just world. I hope you will join us.
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