My good friend and fellow life traveler, Madalyn, posted this wonderful piece recently and I decided to reblog. The only thing I would likely add is to allow children to grow up without being taught what to believe, but how to think. Question everything, listen to the opinions, and make up your own mind. Never teach them exclusive doctrines of any religion, but teach them empathy for all, and to follow the Golden Rule.
The Benevolent Thou
THE PATH NEVER CHOSEN is the Only Path to Peace. To take it we would have to ditch our exclusive religious beliefs and allow the Golden Rule, to rule.
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The Benevolent Thou
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The Benevolent Thou 
Apr 03, 2015 @ 14:23:40
“Allow children to grow up without being taught what to believe, but how to think… And to follow the Golden rule.”
Good advice.
I got mixed messages. Follow the Golden Rule. But discriminate against gays and women and blacks. And obey the leaders — with just a couple of leaders saying, “Follow your conscience, think for yourself.”
On the upside, I suppose the fact that the messages were mixed forced me to think.
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Apr 06, 2015 @ 14:17:22
Hmm, I’m not sure where I implied to teach children to discriminate against gays, women and blacks or to obey the leaders without question. What made you get that impression?
I actually advocate the opposite. The Golden Rule is a call for benevolent reciprocity. I would augment that with “aggressive benevolence” (doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, even if others respond with incivility and violence).
Where we must protect ourselves and defend the defenseless, we should make every effort through words and deeds it entice our “enemies” to find a peaceful solution–give their people bread and medicines even as they attack us. Give them respect even as they do not respect us. You get the picture.
I know it won’t happen within another millennium, but I add my voice to others who like to “Imagine.”
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