Different Religions Share Same Goal
Similarities of All Religions
Different religions share the same goal which will be examined in this article. Although I have not studied every religion, I have studied enough of them to realize they are all paths to God. I believe where the differences lie is in stages of development of each individual and their perceptions.
Although there are different religions, there are common attributes to all of them. What is noticed is similar developmental stages of persons involved in each religion. I have broken these stages into four classifications to simplify what I'm saying.
Major Religions Have Same Stages
The first stage might be called infant. This stage is when one begins to study religion and learn all they can about it. They may not be sure what they believe, but they are looking for answers.
The next stage might be called teen-age. This stage is characterized by great zeal and the feeling that their religion is the only true religion. It is kind of like, "My dad can beat up your dad."
Another stage might be called adult, which is when one begins to see there are Truths in many religions. Acceptance is found in this stage. Interestingly, in the Hindu religion there is a saying, "Anyone who searches for God, is Hindu."
Additionally, Sikhs built a temple and it's a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religions to worship God equally. It's called Harmandir Sahib. In the 1900's, much of it was covered with gold, which is why it is also known as "The Golden Temple."
All Religions
The final stage I'll call mystical. Mystics are found in all religions I have studied. So, there is probably no best religion except what works for you. Ramakrishna studied Hindu, Islam and Christianity and proclaimed: "As many faiths, so many paths."
To Sri Ramakrishna, the spiritual goal is like the summit of a mountain, and different religions are like different paths to reach that summit. "All religions are the denominations of the one universal religion'"the religion of God-consciousness. The harmony of religions is an eternal fact that is only to be discovered. True interfaith harmony calls for rising above dogmatism, looking back to the original teachings of the prophets, and discovering the inherent spiritual unity of all religions. Interfaith dialogue in the spirit of true harmony is never an encounter or a conversation, but a coming together of members of the same spiritual family'"a grand reunion and a joyous celebration. The world will not change if all people are converted to Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, or Islam; but it would certainly make a difference if some of them rise above dogmatism and bigotry and make the message of unity and harmony a living reality."
St. John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross wrote several beautiful writings which are still finding an audience today. From "Dark Night of the Soul"
"I abandoned and forgot myself,
laying my face on my Beloved;
all things ceased; I went out from myself,
leaving my cares
forgotten among the lilies."
Although there are different religions, there are common attributes to all of them. What is noticed is similar developmental stages of persons involved in each religion. I have broken these stages into four classifications to simplify what I'm saying.
Major Religions Have Same Stages
The first stage might be called infant. This stage is when one begins to study religion and learn all they can about it. They may not be sure what they believe, but they are looking for answers.
The next stage might be called teen-age. This stage is characterized by great zeal and the feeling that their religion is the only true religion. It is kind of like, "My dad can beat up your dad."
Another stage might be called adult, which is when one begins to see there are Truths in many religions. Acceptance is found in this stage. Interestingly, in the Hindu religion there is a saying, "Anyone who searches for God, is Hindu."
Additionally, Sikhs built a temple and it's a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religions to worship God equally. It's called Harmandir Sahib. In the 1900's, much of it was covered with gold, which is why it is also known as "The Golden Temple."
All Religions
The final stage I'll call mystical. Mystics are found in all religions I have studied. So, there is probably no best religion except what works for you. Ramakrishna studied Hindu, Islam and Christianity and proclaimed: "As many faiths, so many paths."
To Sri Ramakrishna, the spiritual goal is like the summit of a mountain, and different religions are like different paths to reach that summit. "All religions are the denominations of the one universal religion'"the religion of God-consciousness. The harmony of religions is an eternal fact that is only to be discovered. True interfaith harmony calls for rising above dogmatism, looking back to the original teachings of the prophets, and discovering the inherent spiritual unity of all religions. Interfaith dialogue in the spirit of true harmony is never an encounter or a conversation, but a coming together of members of the same spiritual family'"a grand reunion and a joyous celebration. The world will not change if all people are converted to Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, or Islam; but it would certainly make a difference if some of them rise above dogmatism and bigotry and make the message of unity and harmony a living reality."
St. John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross wrote several beautiful writings which are still finding an audience today. From "Dark Night of the Soul"
"I abandoned and forgot myself,
laying my face on my Beloved;
all things ceased; I went out from myself,
leaving my cares
forgotten among the lilies."
Related article: What Is The Meaning of Life?
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Blog comparing religious scriptures.
Source:
Ghetanananda, They Lived with God. Vedanta Society of St. Louis, 1989.
Different Religions Share Same Goal copyright 2011
Published by Deborah Oakes, NPS
Certified National Product Specialist, Author: "H1N1 Threat Reduced Using Natural Healthcare" and "Home & Hearth Recipes." View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentThank you for your thoughtful comment Sivaramakrishnan Ananthanarayana.
I am with you, Deborah. True religious teachings should unify us. After all we are same, with the same emotions, fears and hopes. But the interpretation is the villain; which is done by us with warts and all! None has seen God or the Creator; so mostly perceptions. None has come back from the dead to tell the tale! I keep an open mind; that means to treat everyone the same irrespective of color, creed, religion etc. I feel we should take charge of our lives and help the unfortunate everyway we could. The world is riven by divisions and human tendency is to see others not for acceptance but to see the difference. I have moved closely with many who are followers of all beliefs. They respond to me the same way to my entreaties. But once we see them as different they also do likewise. We have grown in scientific knowledge but sadly stick to the negative traits of seeing how different others are. Let us not forget, scratch the surface and see inside - all look the same. We are just carried away by the shell! siva
Thanks Langley.
Artfully handled, and I so agree. I think there are many paths to God.
I discovered that myself a few years ago, Thomas. Thanks for reminding me.
I understand your point fully about the universality of religion. In preparing an AC article about my favorite Bible passages, I discovered that, what we know as The Golden Rule appears in just about every religion.
I've always believed that there are many paths to God.
Excellent... :o)
Religion is so complicated, yet you are right -- it all leads to the same goal. Good stuff. Great to see you again. Take care! :)
Hi Carol, Good point. Actually, the mystic stage is the enlightened stage. However, as far as I know, only Hindu's are familiar with that term whereas most Western religions are more familiar with the term mystic.