Aug 15, 2017.
Open response from Golden Rule CC leader Mussie Hailu to URI North America statement on Charlottesville violence.
Dear Sister Sari,
Greetings of peace and blessing from URI-Africa. Thank you so much for your message and we stand with you against hate speech and all acts of violence and discrimination.
On behalf of URI-Africa and Global Interfaith Network for Golden Rule CC I would like to join with you in prayer and action to provide places for nonviolent gatherings to continue to build cultures of peace, justice, and healing for all people.
Every human being without distinction of age, sex, race, skin color, physical or mental ability, language, religion, political view, or national or social origin possesses an inalienable and untouchable human dignity. We need to honor this dignity and protect it.
There is a principle which is found and has persisted in many religious and ethical traditions of humankind for thousands of years which will help to promote peaceful co-existence and make human dignity a reality and that is -The Golden Rule which says: “What you do not wish done to yourself, do not do to others”. In other words: “What you wish done to yourself, do to others”! This should be the irrevocable, unconditional norm for all areas of life, for families and communities, for races, nations, and religions.
The principle of Golden Rule implies very concrete standards to which we humans should hold firm. Violence should not be a means of settling differences with others.
We must recognize that in the midst of magnificent diversity of cultures, religions, ethnicities and race we are part of one human family with a common destiny.
Hence, we must join hands together, now more than ever, to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on a Global Ethic based on the teaching of the Golden Rule. To reflect on the Golden Rule is to reflect from the perspective of universal wisdom and a Global Ethic.
The Golden Rule is not just a moral ideal for relationships between people but also for relationships among nations, cultures, races, sexes, economies and religions. Clearly, the Golden Rule has the capacity to be the ethical cornerstone in developing a Global Ethic as we work together as member of URI to build a peaceful, just and sustainable global society free from hate, violence and discrimination.
May Peace Prevail on Earth.
In peace and gratitude,
Mussie Hailu
