This principle simply urges people to treat others the way they themselves would like to be treated. As we want others to respect our life and dignity, so we must respect and protect the life and dignity of others; as we want others to respect our freedoms of religion, conscience, thought, and expression, so we must respect and defend these freedoms for others. This ethic of reciprocity, as it is sometimes called, is thus at the very heart of religion. 

Most religions primarily aim to the excellence of human character, the development of human beings so that we consistently choose kindness, compassion, truthfulness, courage, and all the virtues associated with the best of humanity.  To choose to do good, and not evil.

A few of the verses in religious texts that speak to the Principle of “treating others as you would like to be treated” include the following:

Islam: “None of you believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” (An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadith 13)

Christianity: “Do to others what you want them to do to you.” (Matthew 7:21)

Judaism: “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary.” (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)

Buddhism: “Do not hurt others in ways you yourself would find hurtful” (Udanavarga 5:18)

Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty: do nothing to others that would cause you pain if done to you.” (Mahabharata 5:117)

Many of the ways we experience and express our beliefs are from our culture and community.  We gather in places of worship to express our devotion to our beliefs and values.  The above painting was created by Leonardo DiVinci of the "Last Supper" of Jesus teaching his disciples (students) to take communion (a covenant meal to remember their devoted relationship).

Detail from "The Story of Hanukkah" by Ori Sherman