Treat others as you wish to be treated only works under a very specific interpretation of how we each wish to be treated, which is the articulation I offered. Again, even if I think Reece’s peanut butter cups are the best thing I could receive as a gift, that doesn’t mean I should give them to someone with a peanut allergy, so no, I should not treat them as I wish to be treated. I should not give them Reece’s peanut butter cups. I should give them something I know they will love.

There is not just a single articulation of the Golden Rule. I have lived it. That’s why I am thoroughly comfortable offering my own articulation of it and why I know it is accurate.