Do Unto Others In The Bible is a message of love, humility and devotion for many people around the world. The idea, that what we do to others should reflect upon ourselves is embedded in many religious traditions, but nowhere is it more clearly stated than in the Christian Bible. This phrase is generally understood to be a Golden Rule, a principle that many cultures have believed in and practiced over thousands of years.
The main scripture in Christian beliefs which encapsulates the message of ‘Do Unto Others’ is located in the book of Luke 6:31. It reads ‘And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise’. This scripture sets the tone for Christian teachings ,believing in helping others. This compassion and understanding of treating others as we wish to be treated should be reflected in our everyday interactions, extending to even those of different faiths and cultures in a show of social acceptance.
According to a professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, Do Unto Others is the perfect representation of Jesus’s teachings. He suggested that Jesus’s approach was very simple: to do unto others what we would want them to do unto us. This suggests that Jesus knew that in order for us to be effective communicators and active members of our community, we must have a sense of compassion and kindness towards our neighbours.
Leading Christian charity, The New Interfaith Coalition, suggest that embracing the message of ‘Do Unto Others’ is one of the most important messages of Christianity. It encourages members to be proactive and promote unity and understanding in their communities. These charities advice Christians to lead by example; using their own behaviour to spread positivity and promote understanding across religions. It suggests that Do Unto Others should form an integral part of a Christian lifestyle.
While the message of do unto others formed an important part of Jesus’s teachings, this concept of kindness and understanding actually has its roots in much older religions. For instance, Confuscious, a Chinese philosopher known for his wisdom, advised that ‘What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others’. It is clear that many religions emphasise that being kind and understanding should be part of our daily practices.
In contrast, some sceptics of religion have suggested that Do Unto Others is more of a selfish act than a compassionate one. These critics suggest that it is more about looking out for our own interests, rather than those of other people. They claim that this idea has become so culturally embedded in societies that we lack the ability to be truly selfless and truly help those around us.
Action steps
However, many Christian communities refute this view and suggest that Do Unto Others should form the basis of our actions. Suggesting that by being kind to others, and doing as we would wish to be done to, would result in a more compassionate and supportive society. The publication of religious books, biblical preaching and volunteer organisations help to deliver this message.
Engaging and contributing in neighbourhood campaigns provides tangible actions which community members can take to promote and instil positivity. From assisting the elderly with everyday tasks to engaging with food banks, Christian communities can build positive relationships with their surrounding area. Different Christian churches also create meaningful partnerships with local schools, providing care packages, meals and clubs that promote important values such as being part of a team and trust within the community.
An invaluable tool used to further entrench Do Unto Others into society is prayer. Praying (either individually or collectively), not only reinforces the golden rule, but is also regarded as a meditative activity,relaxing and calming the person’s mind. Exploring scripture is another way to connect with others, nurturing our own spirituality and moral foundations. This practice can also act as a source of new insight and perspective to the message of Do Unto Others.
Alternative interpretations
In modern day society, Do Unto Others is often interpreted in various way. For instance, pyschologists suggest that understanding and playing our part in assisting those within our surrounding community may help to positively promote emotional wellbeing, through becoming more empathetic and engaged in day-to-day activities.
The phrase has also provided a platform for advocating social justice such as women’s rights, equal pay and LGBTQIA+ acceptance. With society aiming to overcome these societal issues, Do Unto Others is often referenced by campaigners to provide a source of inspiration and solidarity amongst their members.
In addition, the message of Do Unto Others has been adopted for numerous commercial and marketing purposes. Companies have created campaigns which embrace the idea of treating people with kindness and understanding, as a way of promoting their products as Moral Code for their consumers.
Achievement of Do Unto Others
Those who have embraced the concept of Do Unto Others by dedicating their lives to ‘Church’, volunteering and taking part in main faith activities, have found the idea to be a powerful one. They claim that Do Unto Others reduces stress, anger and anxiety, acting as a more positive antidote to negativity.
By improving on how they treat others, they claim to feel a sense of fulfilment in being part of a society with strong values, helping those in need and being part of a moral foundation.
By training the young, the elderly and the disabled, through volunteering, running clubs and activities, adherents of the Do Unto Others message believe that it sets a compassionate example for future generations to come. This gives them a sense of pride in being the drivers of a message which helps to build strong, happy and well connected communities.
Increased acceptance of the message
The idea of ‘Do Unto Others’ has been embraced by different religious groups, beyond Christianity. Muslims use The Prophet Mohammed’s sermon to its followers known as The Hadith as analogous to Do Unto Others. It reads: ‘none of you truly believes until you wish for another what you wish for yourself’. This suggests that even in different faiths, the message of treating others with kindness is still important.
Hinduism, Tibet Buddhism and Eastern Religions also use similar teachings to those found in the Christian teachings of Do Unto Others. This reinforces the notion of the Golden Rule, that ‘what goes around comes around’. The importance of avoiding negative thoughts and actions towards our fellow human beings is highly extolled in these faiths.
Over recent years the Golden Rule has evolved to encompass human rights activist and environmental thinkers, who suggest that in this modern age, what we do to others should not be based on race, gender or political standing. Instead, we should adopt a universal mantra of kindness and respect towards every individual.
Social Media
The movement of Do Unto Others has been powered by the increased use of Social Media channels over recent years. This has enabled advocates of ‘Do Unto Others’ to reach more people than ever before; using hashtags such as #BeKind to promote the idea. For example, campaigns like ‘Plastic Free Seaside’ have helped to promote the message of kindness and understanding towards our environment.
Support for the ‘Do Unto Others’ mantra has been growing, with many celebrities and influencers actively promoting it to their followers on social media. The concept of ‘Lead by Example’ is again the driving force behind these campaigns, in order to further encourage people to understand and become actively involved in the message.
Do Unto Others has become almost like an anthem wrapped up in the idea of ‘being a good person’, which many appreciate and have adopted as part of their own personal philosophies and day-to-day interactions.
Living with Do Unto Others
The most beautiful thing about Do Unto Others is that it is more than just a message; it has become part of our daily lives. We can all make a conscious effort to be kinder to our neighbours, hold the door open for each other and show individuals the respect they deserve.
Moreover, we can challenge ourselves to be more open, understanding and compassionate to those around us. ‘Do Unto Others’ is not only an important message of Christianity, but a much needed reminder in our modern society to not take each other for granted.
Overall, the message of Do Unto Others is a simple but powerful one; it is about treating others with the same respect, dignity and kindness as we expect for ourselves. This message has been adopted the world over, by many different religions and cultures, forming an integral part of societies for centuries.
