Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists

by Dan Barker

The Golden Rule is not unique to Jesus, nor did it start with Christianity. In Hinduism (Brahmanism), around 300 B.C.E.: “This is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you.” (Mahabharata, 5, 1517. The Vedic period of Hinduism goes back to 1500 B.C.E.) In Buddhism we read: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” (Udana-Varga, 5, 18) In Confucianism, which started around 500 B.C.E.: “Surely it is the maxim of loving-kindness: Do not unto others that you would not have them do unto you.” (Analects, 15, 23) In Taoism we have, “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.”