Fool's Golden Rule

On Sunday 25,000 people paid about $100 to go to the "church" of Donald Trump. He was paid 1.5 million dollars to be a speaker at a wealth seminar in Toronto. Among his pearls of wisdom was "when someone screws you, screw them back." What a perverse version of the Golden Rule.

The Golden Rule is that we should do unto others what we would have them do to us. There is a poster which points out that every major religion of the world has its version of the Golden Rule. While in some ways it is counter-intuitive, the notion that we would offer to others what we would want for ourselves offers an alternative to selfishness, as well as the escalation of retaliation and violence. Religions connect the concept of a loving, generous God to our generosity of spirit in relationships.

The 25,000 who listened to Trump are misguided about the true meaning of wealth if they think that his message makes sense. Surely this is the Fool's Golden Rule. "Fool's Gold" is another name for a shiny mineral which has deceived treasure seekers for centuries, but is worthless.

We don't always "get it" as followers of Christ, but it is worth the effort. I don't need Donald's Rule. With God's help I'm sticking with the other way, the other Rule.