This is the first post in a series on World Religions for Kids, a group of articles packed with resources to help teachers and parents teach their children about World Religions as a means to promote compassion, empathy, cultural understanding, and tolerance.
World religions share a common virtue, that is universally taught, respect, revered: it is often referred to as The Golden Rule. This simple, moral principle is prevalent in world religions and cultures throughout history:
This poster is used with permission by the creators at Scarboro Missions. It is available to purchase from Ontario Multifaith Council and Interfaith Marketplace. Wouldn’t it be a great addition to your classroom?
In recent years, the Scarboro Missions Interfaith Desk in Toronto has committed itself to building a website featuring free, useful, and educational resources for interfaith work. Here are 4 of their most popular resources, developed to accompany their incredible Golden Rule Poster (above) which features the Golden Rule – scripturally and symbolically – in 13 religions.
1) Do-it-yourself “Golden Rule Workshop” outline
2) The 13 Golden Rule texts in 9 languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Urdu, Japanese & Hebrew
3) Golden Rule Curriculum for Schools and Youth Groups
4) Golden Rule Meditation Exercises
Stories/Videos about the Golden Rule
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Here are some adapted stories and fairytales on-line about the Golden Rule.
This art lesson plan explores the Golden Rule across cultures.
Do Unto Otters: A Book about Manners, by the awesome author Laurie Keller, is great for the little kids (preK-2nd). Although it does not discuss world religions or the universality of the Golden Rule, the animals in this book bring the Rule to life by showing how Mr. Rabbit makes new friends with his new neighbors. This is a great way to show kids how to practice in real life the values of friendliness, politeness, honesty, consideration, cooperation, and sharing.
The Golden Rule
Watch this sweet video of children from diverse cultures and world religions come together to illustrate the moral principle of The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Please note that a reader has informed me that while the message of the Golden Rule in the video is beautiful, the Sikh religion is inaccurately represented in the video; she has also contacted Hallmark. This could kindle a dialogue about how organizations reach out to different faiths and how the media sometimes distorts the truth.
I look forward to following this series Becky!
Given the current passionate debate around the lack of diversity in children’s literature, I’d like to provide some feedback on the video clip above. When we (especially educators) choose to include a diverse, equitable and inclusive perspective through any kind of media, it is essential to promote authentic images to encourage informed dialogue. I love the premise of this video but the imagery is inaccurate as far as the Sikh faith. It is unfortunate that companies such as the one who produced this video do not seem invested in authenticity but instead, in tokenism. I intend to reach out to Hallmark and share my thoughts so they have an opportunity to grow.
That is so unfortunate that they did not get counsel from someone of the Sikh faith- I think I will add in a disclosure above the film. Or do you think I should remove the media since it is inaccurate??
This is wonderful! Wisdom Tales Press also have this new great interfaith book called Everyone Prays…http://www.wisdomtalespress.com/books/childrens_books/978-1-937786-19-9-Everyone_Prays.shtml
Erin- I have that book featured in my next post!
If you choose to do so, I think adding a disclosure would suffice. I believe when we see something that challenges us, it gives us a great opportunity to encourage dialogue and deeper understanding:) I always tried to share tools and strategies with my students that helped them detect bias – it’s a real world skill.
How fascinating. Maybe that’s why it’s the “golden” rule – no matter what you believe, there is a version of it!
I really enjoyed your article and look forward to the series. The poster is a fantastic way of showing a common ground between so many different religions.
What a fantastic poster! And a really lovely post as well. Thanks for sharing 🙂