“…We wept and prayed” is a line from It’s a Wonderful Life that describes the collective reaction of a community in a moment of loss. That phrase has always struck me. Tears and prayers are not just private acts, they are a holy reminder of what happens when people come together, shoulder to shoulder, and seek guidance and healing.
The truth is, most of us share more in common than we sometimes realize. Of the world’s 7.3 billion people, 77 percent — about 5.6 billion — follow one of the six major religions. And when you line them up, the central teaching is strikingly the same:
- Christianity: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” — Jesus, Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
- Islam: “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” — The Prophet Muhammad, Hadith an-Nawawi 13
- Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor: that is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary.” — Hillel, Talmud, Shabbat 31a
- Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others what would cause you pain if done to you.” — Mahabharata 5:1517
- Buddhism: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” — Udanavarga 5:18
- Baha’i: “Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.” — Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah
That looks like consensus to me. Different voices, different traditions, yet the same song: treat people the way you want to be treated.
And if we add in the 3.5 billion people who use Google each day — a company whose guiding principle for years was “Don’t be evil” — the case becomes even stronger. Billions of us already agree on the core values of goodness, respect, and care for others.
So why do we so often act as if we are hopelessly divided?
The future belongs to communities that choose to live out this shared belief. Places where neighbors practice listening, respect, and empathy. Places where we begin with the simple rule: Reject evil, love everyone always.
It does not mean we will all agree on policy, politics, or priorities. But it does mean that the foundation of how we treat one another is strong. And from strong foundations, thriving communities are built
When people tell you the world is falling apart, remember this: most of us are already aligned on the most important things. The question is not whether we share the same values — it is whether we are willing to live them out, together.
If we can, our future is not only secure, it is bright.
Always Forward.
