Treat others how you wish to be treated....

[mikey6]

or...treat others how you yourself are treated.
Dat is my question.  Been thinking about it a bit lately.

[pianistimo]

which is harder?  that's where character shows up.  it's easy to be nice to people who are nice to you.  much harder to be nice to someone who doesn't really like you.  you can still wave and pretend they are smiling back.  after awhile you can break them this way.

think about it.  babies do this. 

[opus10no2]

Treat others how they need to be treated in order for them to treat you the way you wish.

[counterpoint]

Treat others how they need to be treated in order for them to treat you the way you wish.

So other people are only objects which you use to get what you want?
Sounds a bit immoral to me...

[thalberg]

Do a little of each and see how each one works.  You have all your life to experiment.

[shortyshort]

Treat everyone with the contemt they deserve.

[pianistimo]

remember that motives of others are up to God - and that He knows everyone's heart.  including yours.  so, even if others think you are only being nice because of 'whatever' - you can gain your confidence from Jesus Christ that He also sufferred, was ridiculed, and was assumed to have ulterior motives (as the romans thought He wanted power only - and named him 'king of the jews'). 

as i read the bible - i take it literally.  be kind to those who 'curse' you.  that would mean not to curse back.  but, to literally be kind.  to give water to those who are thirsty (the truth).  and, not to be ashamed of living differently than others around you - and trusting that God will work it out.  relationships can be funny.  you can be in difficulty with someone for years and suddenly the clouds clear.  but, it seems that the biblical prescriptive is not to give up.  to say - 'well, it isn't working.  obviously.'  but, to have faith and say 'they are seeing Jesus Christ's actions thru me - and even if they don't believe that i have their interest at heart - Jesus will bless my intentions.'  it relieves you of the burden of anger, getting even, mental stress.  you're at peace - because you chose the more difficult thing to do.  smile and be positive.

[rc]

Treat everyone with the contemt they deserve.

I feel more honest not pretending to like people who piss me off...  Funny thing, I always somehow wind up befriending people who I don't like.  The only way to continue to dislike someone is to not be around them - letting their disrespectful behavior fester in my imagination.

[opus10no2]

So other people are only objects which you use to get what you want?
Sounds a bit immoral to me...

Then the mechanics of life are immoral.

Social harmony teaches the joy of giving so that we may take in return.

[counterpoint]

Then the mechanics of life are immoral.

Oh, I remember. Some months ago, you propagated, that people don't have a free will.
Now you talk about "mechanics" of life. Sounds like everyone is a little screw in a big machine, over which nobody has control.

What if...  everyone would be aware, that he has a given right for his own, personal life - and that nobody has the right to use others for his own profit? This idea is far from today's reality - but I hope, someday this will come true!   

I hope so much, that people recognize, that they have got a free will and that they respect the free will of others!

[thalbergmad]

as i read the bible - i take it literally

As if we needed reminding.

[Bob]

The golden rule never hurts. 

Although, sometimes people can take advantage if you are too nice.  Or if you are too nice to many people, you burn up lots of effort.

[opus10no2]

I hope so much, that people recognize, that they have got a free will and that they respect the free will of others!

Be free will real or not, living life like it is real is certainly better.

The concept of predestination(etc.) only helps us in finding confort from the inevitable, the inevitable of that which and come before, and will come during and after.

[counterpoint]

Be free will real or not, living life like it is real is certainly better.

The concept of predestination(etc.) only helps us in finding confort from the inevitable, the inevitable of that which and come before, and will come during and after.

If people think, the state of their life is something predestinated and inevitable, they will never try to make decisions by themselves, but wait for the decision to be made by someone else. And afterwards they will tell: it was inevitable, I'm not responsible. Many people live like that.

[opus10no2]

Well, I believe I make decisions not based on my own volition, but my own cognition, which is rooted in the eternal unknown volition.

Anyway, 'deciding' to not make a decision is a decision in itself.

[counterpoint]

Anyway, 'deciding' to not make a decision is a decision in itself.

Yes, we are responsible for all we do and for all we don't do.

[opus10no2]

Indeed. Responsibilty is an interesting issue..major example being- at what age does a person become responsible for themselves, as opposed to their parents and influencers..

[counterpoint]

Indeed. Responsibilty is an interesting issue..major example being- at what age does a person become responsible for themselves, as opposed to their parents and influencers..

Very early, in my opinion. But that's not in a legal sense, the state of awareness may be very different between young people of the same age. But they, who already can make independent decisions in younger years, will have much profit from it.

[pianistimo]

that's a great answer.  maybe it is easier for girls initially because they don't have as much stress as guys - therefore - get ready to take it more.  my daughter spends 4-5 hours a day doing homework - and is very conscientious about her grades.  my son - i literally have to grab the coffee he is slowly making for himself in the morning and push him out the door.  i give it to him in the car.  otherwise - two more minutes stirring it.  he is very smart - but doesn't really worry about 'the rules.'  i don't know why.  i am very perfectionistic about rules.  perhaps that is the problem.  if , one day, i said 'i don't care what you do.  sleep in til noon.  skip 1/2 your classes.  it's fine with me.'  would he be more mature this year and get himself to school on time?  *inner scream

[opus10no2]

Well, I'm not convinced independant decisions can ever be made, that's why it's such an interesting issue.

Anyway, it's entirely impractical to 'blame' an absolute cause, in most cases it's much more practical to chop the leaf from the tree it grows from.

[pianistimo]

i can't do that.  he's my son.  everyone says - 'let them do what they will.'  but, two years ago he would have chosen to drop out.  he is now going to graduate.  i am very happy i sort of nagged him a lot.  i told him nobody would hire a dropout and there is so much competition for jobs nowdays.  plus, he is now taking community college courses.  i am so proud of his changes this year.  and he now drives to get to a place 1/2 hour away - by 8:00 am monday thru thursday.