When the Golden Rule Fails

Last updated on: June 15, 2015 at 12:42 pm by Theresa Soto

When the Golden Rule Fails 2015-06-15T12:42:27-05:00 Theresa Soto

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Recently, a friend of mine in their wheelchair had a walking person push past them in order to use the accessible stall. My friend showed patience and civility, but still ended up having to wait for the person to finish because that was the only stall they could use. The person who pushed past was probably not a bad person. They probably recycle and give to charity. They can probably recite the contents of Luke 6:31 without skipping a beat. If I just start the line, you’ll know how to finish it. “Do unto to others, what you would have them do unto you. They probably ran into a little tangle.

The Golden Rule asks us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Sometimes, this fails. Why? What can we do?

What we have called the Golden Rule asks people to think of how they would want to be treated were they in the situation they are considering. A problem arises when the person being considered is having an experience of disability or illness. Sometimes the reaction of fear or revulsion gets in the way so that the real experience of the person with a disability is hidden by the reactions of others. The Golden Rule fails when the fear or distaste we have for another person’s experience keeps us from actually considering what their experience is like. This is something we can address in spiritual community. The usual, everyday perception of disability as something fearful and revolting is something we can interrupt with honest thinking and speaking.

bell hooks put it this way, “Beloved community is formed not by the eradication of difference but by its affirmation, by each of us claiming the identities and cultural legacies that shape who we are and how we live in the world.”

You cannot eradicate disability simply by trying harder. No one is asking you to do that as a spiritual community or a church. Rather, the inner work that you can do is to notice every time that you associate pity, sorrow, or distaste with a person with a disability. You will have to pay close attention. It may register simply as a shiver down your spine. Notice again if you assign some meaning of heroism or inspiration when people with disabilities show up to participate in community. This is where they belong; a higher degree of challenge to get here or participate doesn’t actually make it heroic.

If fear or revulsion are getting in your way, notice them and name them. Don’t allow them to reshape your Golden Rule. Connect with people with disabilities and allow how they describe themselves and their needs to inform your understanding of what the Golden Rule would be in their case. You can, by doing this work, affirm the identities of those around you and strengthen Beloved Community.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

June 14, 2015

We Go Up to the Mountains

Next Post

June 16, 2015 What is a Coming of God? Part 3/3

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Addiction Advent Atheism Authority Bible Cartoons Christian Year Christmas church church planting Civil Rights Community Contemplative Spirituality Culture emerging church Empire Eschatology Evangelism Events Gender Healing Humanism Islam Justice Kingdom Lent Movement Building Multi-Faith Music mysticism New Wave Emergence origins Personal Poetry politics Prayer Preaching Privilege Racism Religious naturalism Resurrection salvation SKEPTIMERGENT Theology Trauma Uncategorized

Select a Month December 2017 November 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Psalm contains the phrase, "Be still, and know that I am God"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Psalm 46 Psalm 8 Psalm 100 Psalm 91