What's it all about? by Lois Eichman

LIVING A MORAL LIFE IN A MULTICULTURAL WORLD 

by Lois Eichman, AFU member

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks writes on his website article, Morality matters more than ever in a world divided by fear and faithlessness, “One of the lasting unintended consequences of multiculturalism is that we no longer think of the nation as a whole. Instead the electorate has been fragmented into a series of subcultures, defined by ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. These can easily become competitive interest groups, less concerned with the common good than for what is good for those-like-me. Each group can be encouraged by the mood of our time, to see itself as a victim and to identify an oppressor who can be blamed for their current predicament. This gives rise to divisive and rancorous politics that divide society, like the dualisms of old, into the children of light and the children of darkness. It also produces a justification for the use of social media to manipulate public opinion by fake news and ‘alternative facts.’”¹

During the 2016 political campaigns and election, I felt inundated with negativity, unfounded judgment and lies, and the extreme and hateful divisions in our country today.  In an effort to move to a more positive place I turned to my faith and a group of interfaith leaders in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.  Thanks to Brenda I was introduced to All Faiths United (AFU). All Faiths United is a group that seeks to build bridges of understanding and peace among all faiths. AFU celebrates what our God has created, a multicultural and multi-faith world. AFU members meet and work together, pray together, study and learn together, and share food together. When I think of AFU I’m reminded of Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”² The work of All Faiths United reflects this biblical verse and gives me hope and a real appreciation for those engaged in positive activities in our deeply divided society. In groups like All Faiths United multiculturalism is celebrated and I believe, used as our Creator intended, to make our communities, countries and world better places to live.

A journey to learning more

While I was and am very thankful for my All Faiths United friends and experiences, I have found myself wanting more… a more in-depth feeling for, a deeper respect for and a more thorough understanding of faith traditions not my own. I felt the need for more information on how to work with others to transcend the divisions in our society. Then an opportunity came through a discussion with a Jewish friend. She invited me to Torah studies and the rest is history.  Thank you, Paulette. Thank you to my Temple Emanuel friends for their patience with and acceptance of this “other”.

For the last seven months, Torah studies, Shabbat services and High Holiday events have expanded my knowledge of and appreciation for Judaism. It’s a humbling, challenging, rewarding and fun-filled journey. In learning more about Judaism, I learn more about my own faith.  In learning more about Judaism I learn so much more about history.  What a blessing! Yet… the more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know! Indeed I’m a neophyte in learning about faiths other than my own.

What have I learned thus far?  I have learned that we have many common beliefs and values and a few differences. Most importantly I’m finding that many faiths have a common moral ground. Returning to Rabbi Sacks, he says, “Since civilization began, morality has been humanity’s internal satellite navigation system as we have journeyed toward the undiscovered country called the future. It has taken different forms, but it is always about caring for the good of others, not just ourselves; about decency, honesty, faithfulness and self-restraint, treating others as we would wish to be treated. It’s the world of ‘we’ not ‘I’.”³

The "Golden Rule"

What is the common moral ground of faiths? While Rabbi Sacks puts it far more eloquently and in far greater detail, the essential element I see is found in reference to and belief in the “Golden Rule”.⁴

Baha’i Faith: Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself. Bahá'u'lláh

Buddhism: Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udanavarga 5:18

Christianity: In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. Jesus, Matthew 7:12

Confucianism: "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others." Confucius, Analects XV.24

Hinduism: This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.   Brihaspati, Mahabharata (Anusasana Parva, Section CXIII, Verse 8)

Jainism: One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.

Lord Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara

Judaism: What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. Hillel the Elder, Babylonian Talmud, Shabbath Folio 31a (Relates to Leviticus 19:18)

Islam: Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.

The Prophet Muhammad Hadith

Native American: Respect for all life is the foundation.

Kaianrekowa, (Great Law of Peace), 16^th century AD

Sikhism: Precious like jewels are the minds of all. To hurt them is not at all good. If thou desirest thy Beloved, then hurt thou not anyone's heart. Guru Arjan Dev Ji 259, Guru Granth Sahib

Taoism: Regard your neighbour’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbour’s loss as your own loss. T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien

Unitarianism: We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Unitarian principle

Zoroastrianism: Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29

As members of AFU our interaction is as a “we” of faith. We invite all who are interested to join us in our learning and in our activities by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and/or Blogspot.

¹Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Morality matters more than ever in a world divided by fear and faithlessness, September 5, 2018, rabbisacks.org

²New International Bible, Psalm 133:1

³Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Morality matters more than ever in a world divided by fear and faithlessness, September 5, 2018, rabbisacks.org

⁴Scarboro Missions, Wikipedia and egogahan.com, The Golden Rule