Talking Back to Hate, a URI campaign that uses dialogue, education and storytelling to prevent and respond to incidents of hate speech, bullying and discrimination, is sharing messages of peace and respect drawn from many of the world’s great faith traditions as part of the worldwide celebration of “Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion Day” on May 21, 2013.
The presentation is part of a worldwide effort by the United Nations Alliance for Civilizations to identify and eliminate stereotypes, improve understanding in a diverse world, and prevent cultural conflicts.
These words of peace will become a key part of the new Talking Back to Hate site, scheduled to launch later this month as part of www.URI.org. The new site will feature stories and videos from people throughout the world who turned their encounter with hate speech, bullying or discrimination into something positive -- and resources to help schools, communities and religious group take a similar approach when confronted by prejudice or hate.
To take part in a discussion of these inspirational texts, visit URI’s Facebook and Twitterpages, or post your comment below.
What do our religious and cultural traditions say about “right speech” and “right action?”
The following quotations are just a few examples of what different religions and indigenous traditions have to say about how to respond to hate, welcome the stranger, and be in relationship with one’s fellow man.
Judaism:
“What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.” (Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a)
Sikhism:
“I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am a friend to all.” (Guru Granth Sahib, p.1299)
Christianity:
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14
“But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth.” Colossians 3: 8
Islam:
“And good and evil deeds are not alike. Repel evil with good. And he who is your enemy will become your dearest friend.” (Qur’an 41:33-34)
“God knows all that is in their hearts; so ignore what they say, admonish them and speak to them in such terms as will address their minds.”(Qur’an 4:63)
Buddhism:
“For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time: hatred ceases by love, this is an old rule.” (Dhammapada, Verses 3-5)
Hinduism:
“Ahimsa [or non-violence] is the greatest gift. Ahimsa is the highest self-control. Ahimsa is the highest sacrifice. Ahimsa is the highest power. Ahimsa is the highest friend. Ahimsa is the highest truth. Ahimsa is the highest teaching.” Mahabharata XVIII:116.37-41.
Native American:
“All things are interrelated. Everything in the universe is part of a single whole. Everything is connected in some way to everything else. It is therefore possible to understand something only if we can understand how it is connected to everything else.” – The Twelve Teachings of the Sacred Tree, from Returning to the Teachings, by Rupert Ross
Baha’i:
Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face…Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men.” (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh p. 285)
