The Golden Rule

[poliphilo]

Because I'm a lazy sod I've never actually researched the allegation that the sayings of Jesus are plagiarised. Perhaps I will. One shouldn't pass these things on without being sure of the facts. The alleged sources are Jewish, Egyptian even Buddhist. Would first century writers in the Middle East have had access to Buddhist teachings? I don't see why not? If the citizens of Pompeii had Hindu figurines on their sideboards- and they did- why not Buddhist scriptures in their libraries?

One (positive) way of viewing the Christian scriptures is as a compendium of the wisdom of the ages.

 

OK, I'm going to do the research. How hard can it be? Here's something for starters.

 

One of the things Jesus is supposed to have originated, only he didn't  is the so-called golden rule. Among those who got there before him was the great Jewish rabbi, Hillel (who died c. AD 10). Challenged to summarise the Law while standing on one leg, Hillel came up with, "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn."

Comments

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

I don't think that it's fair to claim that Jesus plagarized the Golden Rule: "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."

He's referencing sources, and not claiming it's original to him.

Wikipedia has a pretty good compendium of formulations of Golden Rule-type things from various cultures and religions around the world:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Rule

[arielstarshadow.livejournal.com]

Perhaps a more accurate way to put this is not that Jesus plagiarized, but rather that many of his followers have insisted that much of Jesus' "references" were original thoughts of his own.

After all, it wasn't Jesus who wrote the many books of the New Testament. It was his disciples. And back then, no one really had any thoughts of "Hmmm, I need to footnote this."

But I think what poliphilo is getting at is that here and now, far too many people ignorantly assume that everything attributed to Jesus was his own original ideas.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Exactly. You've said it for me.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

arielstarshadow has formulated my answer for me. :)

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

Well, I hope the Wikipedia link proves useful, then.