Do Unto Others…

While in Greece for World Council of Churches meetings, I was a part of a group that visited Synyparxis, a refugee program for unaccompanied minors arriving in Greece. These were mostly teenage boys arriving from Egypt, Afghanistan and parts of the African continent, sent by their families as a means of providing for their families. They were all underage, and age out of the program at 18 years old. The Church of Greece started the program as a way of addressing the emerging needs of this group, and caring for these young people.

The site we visited houses 30 young people. There are four additional sites operated by the church, providing similar programs. The boys go to school, communicate with their families, and are assisted with getting their papers for living in Greece. They have schedules they adhere to and some are learning Greek. A full range of services is provided. We met participants in the program and heard of some of their experiences.

In conversation with the priests and program coordinators who designed and operate the program, a member of our group asked: “What was the motivation for the program? Why did you decide to do this?” The response: “We saw the needs of these unaccompanied children and we thought about how we would want to be treated if we were refugees.” They designed the program accordingly. A program that assists a community in need. A program that took into consideration the basic concept of doing unto others what you would want them to do to you. A program that is implemented with funds from the Greek government.

Treating people the way we would want to be treated is a lost art, practiced by few, and touted by many who say they follow Jesus. We are living in a time where individualism is prominent and promoted as a value. Every person for themself, with personal gain being lauded over community or the needs of others, is a predominant narrative reflected in the media, in the political response to social issues, and in the rejection of the welfare state through budget cuts which impact those with greatest needs and tax breaks which benefit those who are amassing wealth. Millions will lose; few will gain from the 2025 budget moving through Congress.

The assault on empathy in recent months is poignant and related. Elon Musk’s views on empathy were broadcast widely to mixed reviews. He noted that “the fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy.” Yet, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others is fundamental to being able to “do unto others.” This is neither cliche nor proverb. Jesus himself taught: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). This principle is also known as the Golden Rule, because it is a common moral principle found in many religions and cultures beyond Western society and Christianity.

These days, privilege has eroded empathy. Putting personal needs over and above those of others is the choice being made as law makers in Congress erase benefits to those most vulnerable, while increasing the deficit. The debt burden is being lifted disproportionately by those with less assets and resources in the United States. The burden to provide supports for the marginalized will fall to nonprofit organizations and the church, at a time when nonprofit status is coming under attack based on subjectivity and accusations of terrorism. Yet, many of these organizations have made commitments to the common good, to living the Golden Rule. Commitments to “care for each other,” to “love one another”, and to “do unto others as we would have them do to us.”

The lack of empathy is seen all over the world. Violence continues to escalate. Governments no longer see people present in the institutional quests for land, resources, and power. People are pointing weapons at one another with no concern for what happens with the life that is standing before them, relegated to being a target in their line of sight. Denying the humanity of the other becomes necessary to fuel the annihilation of people we believe are unlike ourselves. Perhaps, lack of empathy is the fundamental weakness of Western civilization, a weakness proving to be detrimental to our existence.

Being empathetic is not a flaw. Empathy is a gift that allows us to see ourselves in others and connect with the needs of others based on the good we desire for ourselves. While it is possible for empathy to be exploited, the nefarious actions of the few to manipulate and abuse the concerns for their needs should not be a deterrent to living the Golden Rule. Caring for others is a value that should not be shamed, nor should there be any shame experienced in being empathetic. This, too, is the Jesus way.