Norman Rockwell’s April 1, 1961 cover of The Saturday Evening Post seems like the best message for our 2026 holiday season. He created it using the faces of neighbors, friends, and exchange students in his Stockbridge, Massachusetts, home.
His inspiration: the formation of the United Nations and its contribution to “world brotherhood and universal respect.”
And, oh, how we need it now.
Maya Angelou echoes this sentiment in her famous quote. “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.”
The Golden Rule. That’s the name of the painting. Would it surprise you to know that this core principal is part of EVERY MAJOR WORLD RELIGION? I’ve done the research for you.
Christianity: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them…” The Bible, Matthew 7:12
Islam: “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” Hadith, Number 13 of Al-Nawawi
Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary; go and learn.” Babylonian Talmud, Shabbath 31a
Baháʼí Faith: “Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not.” Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í Writings
Hinduism: “One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself.” Mahabharata, Udyoga Parvan 39.57
Buddhism: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” Udanavarga 5:18
Sikhism: “As thou deemest thyself, so deem others. Then shalt thou become a partner in heaven.” Guru Granth Sahib
Jainism: “A man should wander about treating all creatures in the world as he himself would be treated.” Sutrakritanga 1.11.33
Confucianism: “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” Analects 15:23
Taoism: “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.” T’ai Shang Kan Ying P’ien
Shinto: “The heart of the person before you is a mirror. See there your own form.” Shinto Proverb
Zoroastrianism: “Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others.” Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29
Native American: “All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth.” Common Tribal Interdependence Ethic
Remarkable, isn’t it? As a believer, I put this to you for your consideration.
God doesn’t love some of his children more than others. If He did, how could His love be unconditional? Which is a comfort. If He hates some, doesn’t that leave open the possibility that He can reject us, as well?
Likewise, nor should we reject others.
Image Credit: Golden Rule by Norman Rockwell, originally published on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post, April 1, 1961.
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