Rockwell Mosaic
The “Golden Rule” mosaic created by Norman Rockwell was presented to the United Nations NYC Headquarters in 1985. The life-size image composed of more than 23,000 pieces supports the UN’s humanitarian aims and idea of a common humanity. (Image Courtesy of General Board Church and Society)
Special to United Methodist Insight | Jan. 28, 2026
If people did not know the Golden Rule, the remedy to our world's troubles would be easy: teach it. Not only teach its content, but teach its context: Jesus said that this guide fulfills all the Law and the Prophets. It is the supreme law.
My dilemma is that people know the Golden Rule. Christians of all denominations -- and people who are not believers at all-- can repeat the Golden Rule word for word. Since it is of such importance to Jesus, and they say Jesus is important to them, I am at a complete loss to know how explain that people feel free to absolutely ignore it. That is a staggering reality that I cannot wrap my head around.
On Saturday, Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse dedicated to veterans' health, was killed in Minneapolis. Thanks to multiple videos, we have all been able to see how his death took place. He lost his life when CBP agents shot him to death. That's how his physical life was taken.
Since Saturday morning, there has been a second wave of his death. Not a wave of grief from caring people. But another assault on this 37-year-old. An assassination of character. Government leaders, conservative airways, commentators and Facebook posts have sent out a deluge of falsehoods, speculations, assumptions in their "Blame the victim" assault. It does not seem to matter that a young man lost his life at the hands of over-reactive, taxpayer funded federal agents. It does not seem to matter that he was doing nothing illegal -- in fact, he was coming to the aid of a woman arbitrarily pushed to the ground by an undisciplined CBP agent. It does not seem to matter that he was unarmed and motionless on the ground when 10 fatal shots were fired into his body. It does not matter that a CBP agent clapped after the shots. The only thing that seems to matter for these folks is to smear the victim any way possible to shift blame for the shooting from the shooters to the man who was killed. Anything to justify their bottom line: If Alex Pretti had stayed home, he would still be alive.
Anyway you slice it, that is a failure of the Golden Rule.
Pretti's family were, somehow, strong enough to speak up. Not only do they have to deal with the crushing grief from the loss of their son by violence from agents of our country. The Pretti's also have to deal with the additional grief of the smear campaign against him: character assassination that cuts to the core. All of us should speak up too: this is unacceptable. The smears contradict American values. The smears violate what Jesus taught was of supreme importance. However you label those who participate in these smears, they are not patriots of American values. And, in no conceivable way do they represent Christian faith.
I don't know what it takes to make the connection that Jesus said to treat others the way we would want to be treated. Pushing a woman onto the ground capriciously? Any healthy person want to be treated that way? Pepper-sprayed, assaulted and left on the ground? Shot ten times after lying motionless on the ground? Anybody think any of those actions are ok? And after the murder, deluging your sphere of influence with falsehoods? Anybody want to be treated like that? Speculations about his motives assigned with confidence to a man no longer alive to speak for himself? Any chance that conforms with the Golden Rule? Asserting that the rogue actions of the federal agents were necessary when multiple videos show they are not?
Apparently, we have not done enough to be clear: a Christian is one who follows Christ. Regardless of denomination or political affiliation, CHRISTIAN means Christ follower. Jesus has made it easy for us to know how we act when we follow Him. Treat others the way you want to be treated for this fulfills all the law and the prophets. Don't ignore this and claim to be following Jesus. And if others are not following His supreme guide, don't believe them when they claim to be either patriotic or Christian.
Mary John Doe
The Rev. Dr. Mary John Dye
The Rev. Dr. Mary John Dye is a retired clergy member of the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. This article is republished from her Facebook page.