The Golden Rule: Faded and Forgotten

"In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law of the prophets". This saying from Jesus seems to be a constant rule throughout many religions. "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful" can be found in Buddhism, “Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself” can be found in Confucianism, "This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done to thee would cause thee pain" can be found in Hinduism, and "what is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary" can be found in the Jewish faith, specifically written in the Talmund. This concept of "treat others as you would like to be treated" is such a universal concept that it makes one wonder, why are there so many arguements that stem from religion? For example, gay marrage, a topic debated about by politicans, use God as a way to explain why marriage between a man and a woman is the only relationship that should be recognized by the public. "Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage. The outcome of this debate is important--and so is the way we conduct it. The same moral tradition that defines marriage also teaches that each individual has dignity and value in God's sight." This quote from our past President, George W Bush Jr., compares marriage between a man and a woman with the way God views people. In other words, those that are gay and want to get married hold no dignity and value in God's eyes. What happened to the Golden Rule here? Does "in everything do to others as you would have them do to you" not apply? The bible is based off of interpretation, people take what they want from it and fit those words in or around their own lives. The Golden Rule is one very all encompassing rule that can apply to everyone no matter their personal belief, race, sexual orientation, or political view, this saying is all about respect for one another and equality.
When entering the saying, "in everything do to others as you would have them do to you" into Google, the most frequent hits that come up are how many different religions the Golden Rule apply too. There are wall posts, comparative pages, humorous pages (11 Things the Bible Bans but You do Any Way) and obviously pages that explain where the quote comes from in the bible. It's amazing how many people recognize this one saying and how simple yet powerful it is. It is also important to note that over 21 religions recognize the Golden Rule in different words but similar meanings. If this concept is recognized throughout the world in all of the most practiced religions, then why are there so many controversies, and even war between groups of people who practice differently? People need to strip down belief and see each other as humans; we are all made of the same stuff, we are all born the same way and we all leave this earth when our hearts stop beating by decomposing into the ground. Whatever happens afterward is whatever one wants to believe. But the actual reality of the situation is the same for everyone from birth to death; so in the meantime, why not treat everyone as you would like to be treated?