Graphic by Asyrique Thevendran/The Gazelle

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” - Luke 7:12 (Bible).

“O you who believe! Spend [benevolently] of the good things that you have earned... and do not even think of spending [in alms] worthless things that you yourselves would be reluctant to accept.” - Surah 2, “The Calf,” v.267 (Quran)

“Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” - Udanavarga 5,1

The excerpts above are but a few examples of the golden rule, a directive considered by many to be an ethical code in which one ought to treat others as they would like to be treated. This base ethic, found in a plethora of religions, and in many forms of belief not involving a higher being, compels us to act both introspectively and outwardly towards others in a reciprocal manner, leading to a ripple effect if such acts are paid forward.

The golden rule itself hinges on the assumption that we want to receive as much happiness as possible from others, and in order to do so, we must take the initiative to give others that same happiness. It is this outward projection — the actions we take in the company of others — that the parables of the Bible, the stories of the Quran and many other religious texts attempt to teach to its constituents.

Words from disciples and followers etched into our collective religious fabric are intended to be normative. That is, they are intended to teach an audience that transcends generations. And regardless of belief, these normative statements lead to a higher moral standard to which our aspirations should be directed. Put simply: Who wouldn’t want to be treated nicely?

Therefore at its core, religion educates morality. Despite differences in opinion both within and between faiths, our conscience is common. Unless you have found a superhuman way to block out the ability to decide between right or wrong, the very existence of our conscience brings us together as human beings. The word religion itself is derived from the latin root religare, or to bind fast.

By this logic, we ought to find common ground at the core of each belief system, where our morality is informed by a base ethic that teaches us to treat others as we would be treated ourselves. And yet this is not the case, both with individual level interactions and on the world stage. Too often we find ourselves mired in conflicts centered around religious extremism, when in fact the mandate of religion itself is to unite rather than to separate.

Among others, the common thread across belief systems is the education of our morality. Our imperfection — the inability to consistently find common ground — is part of human nature. But the beauty of religion is its perseverance and ability to continue teaching no matter the circumstance, in sickness or in health, from generation to generation. Because at the end of the day, when only conscience remains, we must choose right or wrong. As we learn, so will we bind.