Anti-sectarian Assembly Plans - The Golden Rule

The Golden Rule

Aim:
To encourage appreciation of the fact that almost all the religions and other moral systems of the world have come to a similar conclusion about how we should treat other people. If we all follow the Golden Rule, the world will be a better place.

Required:
2 (or more) readers with appropriate copies of the script. Laptop computer, data projector and operator (if using the powerpoint).

 PowerPoint file: The Golden Rule

Time:
5-7 minutes.

Suitable for:
P6 onwards.

Notes:
This assembly idea can be easily altered to reflect your school community and the age of the pupils present. It is best used with the powerpoint but this is not absolutely necessary. It would also be possible to add more slides to expand further on putting the Golden Rule into practice (e.g. bullying, theft, war).

Slides:
Slide 1 is a blank black slide.

Slide 2 - a mouse click is needed for each symbol to appear.

Slide 3 - mouse click needed only for last.

Assembly: The Golden Rule

(Mouse click - Powerpoint slide 1: blank black slide)

Reader 1:
Good morning.
(Mouse click - Powerpoint slide 2)
All religions and societies around the world have moral principles, laws and rules. Many can be very different from each other but all traditions seem to have come up with a version of how we should treat other people - it's been called 'The Golden Rule'. Let's listen to some of these versions.

Reader 2:
(mouse click)
Bahá'í: Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid on you; and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.
(Baha'u'llah, c.1870)

Reader 1:
(mouse click)
Buddhism: Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
(Udana-Varga, 5:18)

Reader 2:
(mouse click)
Christianity: Love your neighbour as yourself.
(Jesus in Matthew 22 and Mark 12, 1st century)

Reader 1:
(mouse click)
Atheism / Humanism: Treat other people as you'd want to be treated in their situation; don't do things you wouldn't want to have done to you.
(British Humanist Association, 1999)

Reader 2:
(mouse click)
Hinduism: This is the sum of duty; do nothing to others that you would not have them do to you.
(Mahabharata 5,1517, c.150 BCE)

Reader 1:
(mouse click)
Islam: No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.
(A saying of The Prophet Muhammad - Number 13 of Imam Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths. 7th Century)

Reader 2:
(mouse click)
Judaism: What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.
(Talmud, Shabbat 3id, c.100)

Reader 1:
(mouse click)
Sikhism: As you think of yourself, so think of others.
(Guru Granth Sahib, 1604)

Reader 2:
And we could go on through all the religions and other moral systems of the world.
(mouse click - Powerpoint slide 3)
The Golden Rule can be found in them all and can be summed up as 'Treat other people as you would like to be treated yourself'.

Reader 1:
Unfortunately, perhaps the greatest failure of the world's religions is their inability to convince their followers that the Golden Rule applies to all humans, including those of other religions. Only when this is achieved will there be an end to religious intolerance and sectarianism. The Golden Rule is a guide to how we should treat everyone.

Reader 2:
After all, anyone can work out how they would like to be treated and put it into practice. Actions that would cause you hurt or suffering you should avoid doing to other people. For example, you wouldn't want to be bullied, so you shouldn't bully other people.

Reader 1:
We do not all want to be treated in the same way. The Golden Rule asks us to consider the wishes and interests of the other person before acting. We would want someone to consider our wishes and interests before treating us in a particular way and so we should do the same towards others.

Reader 2:
But wait a minute ... what happens if I don't mind being name-called and you do? What happens to the Golden Rule then? Because I don't mind being name-called, does that mean I could do it to you? Does it mean if I don't mind singing sectarian songs that I should not mind you doing the same?

Reader 1:
If you really follow The Golden Rule, you will find that your actions should be guided by kindness, respect and care. Is it respectful to sing songs that make fun of other people's religion or culture? Is it respectful to call people hurtful names? The Golden Rule discourages such actions and other actions such as lying and theft because no one wants to be hurt, lied to or to have their property stolen. Maybe you just need to think before you act or speak and put yourself in someone else's shoes.

Reader 2:
For us as individuals, the Golden Rule makes sense. It is a good guide to how we should treat other people. If we all practice the Golden Rule, the world might be a happier place for everyone.

Readers 1 and 2:
Remember now, 'Don't Give It, Don't Take It' - put bigotry and prejudice in the bin. Thank you for listening.