The “Golden Rule” is often considered to be a one sentence summary of what Christianity is all about.
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:12
Jesus said this in the context of promising that God will freely give good things to those who ask (verse 11), and that those who seek shall find (verse 8). Interestingly, however, in the next verses, he goes on to say that few will follow His advice.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Matthew 7:13-14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
The Golden Rule is, of course, the opposite of the selfish materialist ethic that says, “I got mine, and I ain’t sharin’.” Fortunately our Lord and Savior is not stingy and selfish toward us like we can be with each other.
The Plutocrat Rule
There are several variations of the Golden Rule. They are meant to be clever and funny, but they reveal quite a lot, and there are many people who live by them. Perhaps the best well-known is the one I call “The Plutocrat Rule.”
Them that has the gold makes the rules.
This, of course, is the often-disguised rule at the heart of Satan’s plan for this Earth. He has literally used the gold and silver of the Earth to buy up preachers, businessmen, politicians, and television hosts.
Many members of the Church of Jesus Christ support this false doctrine using the justification, “I need to be rich, so that I can then give to the Church and to the poor.” This is an oxymoron. It is the same as saying, “I need to be selfish so I can be unselfish.”
The Bully Rule
In Trump’s America, we have had a dramatic rise in the number of people acting out an even more frightening rule. I call it “The Bully Rule.”
Do unto others, before they get a chance to do it unto you.
This is a justification of violence, theft, and robbery. It is a reflection of a society that has lost its shared identity, disrespects its own institutions, and is breaking apart into tribalism. The Book of Mormon has clear examples of this happening before – and repeatedly warns that it could happen to us again.
This was the principle at work at the US Capitol on January 6, 2001. “We need to steal the election before it gets officially finalized by Congress.” Of course, many in the crowd had been deceived into believing that it was Joe Biden who was “stealing” the election. Hence, “WE need to steal the election before THEY do.”
Which version of the rule do we live by?
The question I have for my readers is, “Which version of this rule do we live by?” I am especially concerned about our priorities here in Mormon Utah. We have had one-party government for so long many think the Republican Party is officially endorsed by the Church. In my experience, elected Republicans do not treat others like they expect to be treated themselves – especially those they consider to be “beneath” them economically, socially, or racially.
If you look at the actions of the Utah State Legislature (and consider the recent news about Church finances) it would appear that the Plutocrat Rule is firmly in control. But the Plutocrat’s control of the Republican Party is slipping fast. More and more ignorant, Trumpist, bullies are being elected to public office each election cycle. The corporate Republicans have so far failed to denounce the lies, craziness, and violence of this group because these people now form the bulk of the Republican electoral base.
Historically, the Plutocrats often find a way to get along with the Bullies because, as long as their wealth is not threatened, they don’t really care what form of government a country has. Indeed, many plutocrats prefer corrupt autocracies because they find it even easier to buy influence.
This is how democratic societies collapse. Money corrupts and weakens the institutions of a society, and then demagogues manufacture and manipulate public outrage in order to take power for themselves.
We Latter-day Saints really need to study our own Book of Mormon more closely. We are a long way from the Golden Rule as taught by Jesus….
Thanks for pointing out the three different types of rules. We obviously need to consider seriously how we are going to live the golden rule. It pains me to see how money has become the guiding force for so many things in and around the church and how many justifications church members can use to try and hide their thirst for money and the things it provides them. Maybe it’s the house you live in or where you live or the car you drive or how you drive it. It could also be shown in how you don’t wanna fund schools or breakfast for children or even healthcare for all. After all, you got yours, so they should have to do the same. And if we truly lived at the golden rule, and used government as an agent to accomplish living the golden rule, our society would be very different.