The Golden Rule and Sunday Laws
By Editor
THE golden rule is, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Matt. 7:12. Christians or professed Christians would never have persecuted a single soul if they had regarded the above words of our Saviour. It does not refer to Christians alone, but to "men" of whatever race or religion. The Jews are men, the heathen are men, and infidels are men. If we, because we are Christians, have the right to persecute or prosecute the infidel on account of his non-belief, we acknowledge by that that he would have just the same right to persecute or prosecute us if he had the power. We do more. We acknowledge that it is his duty thus to persecute us for religion's sake. If we persecute others, we say to others, persecute us when you have the opportunity. The golden rule would have saved the persecutions of the Dark Ages; no Christian now will ever give countenance to any legislation tending to oppress a single soul for his religious belief, or non-belief. Sunday laws and the golden rule of Christ are absolutely incompatible.