Why should diversity of religion exist?

[loverofhumanity]

Although religion is meant to create love and unity it represents probably the largest group of ‘us and thems’ on the planet.

Some religions instead compete with one another for the number 1 spot and some leaders teach their followers that any other religion but theirs is satanic thus creating prejudices and hate between religions. There have even been wars so deep has the prejudice and hatred become.

But does it have to be like this?

Outwardly the different religions have different customs and traditions but inwardly they all strive for a higher purpose.

What would be the harm if we prayed and meditated and visited each other’s places of worship? In my travels I’ve visited Hindu Temples, Christian Churches, Muslim Mosques, Jewish Synagogues and Buddhist Pagodas and I found they all believe in truth and goodness.

So why don’t the religionists visit and worship together and establish friendship and fellowship because they all teach love and unity?

My wife and I who are of a different Faith have been visiting our local Catholic Church and we have made so many friends. They are so welcoming and loving. I believe if each religion extends true friendship to the other religions the time will come when diversity of religion will cease and we will be as one family.

What do you think?

 

[SalixIncendium]

What do you think?

I think not all religions are like this...

Religions instead compete with one another for the number 1 spot and some leaders teach their followers that any other religion but theirs is satanic thus creating prejudices and hate between religions.

Mine isn't.
_____________________________________

I think diversity is a result of people being at different points in their journey though their experiences of temporal existence. I don't see this as problematic.

The problem arises from a hive mind mentality. I think religious belief should be personal, and that it is a good idea to accept that everyone does not share one's personal views.

 

[loverofhumanity]

I think not all religions are like this...


Mine isn't.

Thanks for pointing that out. I changed my OP TO ‘some religions’. But I still belive that the followers of each religion keep aloof from one another and it can foster unhealthy attitudes.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Thanks for pointing that out. I changed my OP TO ‘some religions’. But I still belive that the followers of each religion keep aloof from one another and it can foster unhealthy attitudes.

I agree. I elaborated upon my initial post.

 

[Revoltingest]

Diversity of religion should exist for the sole reason
that preventing diversity would require oppression.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Although religion is meant to create love and unity

This is news to me.

Edit:

Outwardly the different religions have different customs and traditions but inwardly they all strive for a higher purpose.

Again: news to me.

 

[Audie]

Although religion is meant to create love and unity it represents probably the largest group of ‘us and thems’ on the planet.

Some religions instead compete with one another for the number 1 spot and some leaders teach their followers that any other religion but theirs is satanic thus creating prejudices and hate between religions. There have even been wars so deep has the prejudice and hatred become.

But does it have to be like this?

Outwardly the different religions have different customs and traditions but inwardly they all strive for a higher purpose.

What would be the harm if we prayed and meditated and visited each other’s places of worship? In my travels I’ve visited Hindu Temples, Christian Churches, Muslim Mosques, Jewish Synagogues and Buddhist Pagodas and I found they all believe in truth and goodness.

So why don’t the religionists visit and worship together and establish friendship and fellowship because they all teach love and unity?

My wife and I who are of a different Faith have been visiting our local Catholic Church and we have made so many friends. They are so welcoming and loving. I believe if each religion extends true friendship to the other religions the time will come when diversity of religion will cease and we will be as one family.

What do you think?

I dont think religions are meant to as you say.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

Well, maybe 'truth' cannot be condensed down into one set of ingredients, but is instead a sort of three-dimensional geometric object that can be viewed from many angles. I think maybe some of the really ancient myths about the rainbow seem to almost touch on that, though modern religious probably people don't think much about rainbows. We might see it as having a minor cameo in genesis, whereas in general proto-religion it might have represented a more powerful image of universality, since lost. If I was a paleolithic sophisticate, I'd surely see the rainbow as representing a sort of liberally agape signification from the divine world, where no one color completes the bridge toward the heavens

 

[PureX]

Although religion is meant to create love and unity it represents probably the largest group of ‘us and thems’ on the planet.

As opposed to, say, male and female? Rich and poor? National identity? Ethnic identity?

Some religions instead compete with one another for the number 1 spot and some leaders teach their followers that any other religion but theirs is satanic thus creating prejudices and hate between religions. There have even been wars so deep has the prejudice and hatred become.

There have been far more wars fought for wealth, power, land, resources, and self-identity than for religious dominance. Why aren't you seeing any of this?

But does it have to be like this?

It's not "like this". You just aren't seeing what it's really "like".

Outwardly the different religions have different customs and traditions but inwardly they all strive for a higher purpose.

What would be the harm if we prayed and meditated and visited each other’s places of worship? In my travels I’ve visited Hindu Temples, Christian Churches, Muslim Mosques, Jewish Synagogues and Buddhist Pagodas and I found they all believe in truth and goodness.

Religions don't "strive for" anything. They are a collection of ideals, practices, rituals, and rules being offered to people who share a similar theological belief, to help them live according to those theological beliefs.

But does it have to be like this?

It's not "like this". You just aren't seeing what it's really "like".

So why don’t the religionists visit and worship together and establish friendship and fellowship because they all teach love and unity?

Because they don't all share the same theological beliefs, even though they may share some of the same religious ideals, rituals, practices, and rules.

My wife and I who are of a different Faith have been visiting our local Catholic Church and we have made so many friends. They are so welcoming and loving. I believe if each religion extends true friendship to the other religions the time will come when diversity of religion will cease and we will be as one family.

What do you think?

I think that religious (or any ideological) self-righteousness is often difficult to maintain when engaged at a personal level.

 

[syo]

New Although religion is meant to create love and unity it represents probably the largest group of ‘us and thems’ on the planet.

The Orthodox Christians say all religions are cults and only Eastern Orthodox Christianity is the one true religion.

 

[Harel13]

What would be the harm if we prayed and meditated and visited each other’s places of worship? In my travels I’ve visited Hindu Temples, Christian Churches, Muslim Mosques, Jewish Synagogues and Buddhist Pagodas and I found they all believe in truth and goodness.

Most religions strive for one truth. Not many truths. To simply accept other religions as they are is problematic in most doctrines. It undermines the singular truthfulness of that specific religion.



Other than, there's a problem for Jews to enter houses of idol-worship or even semi-idol-worship like Christianity, so that's one issue we Jews have. Mosques are okay, though.

 

[Vinayaka]

There is no need to interrelate on a religious level in order to get along. In multi-ethnic settings, a school class may have a rich diversity or race, religion, parenting style , and more. The students will all get along, because they see each other as people.

I have nothing against going to houses of worship outside of your own, but it's certainly no necessity. Most of our time is spent outside of religion. When you go to a mechanic or a doctor, all you should care about is whether or not the person can do that job. Religion, race, gender, age, ethnicity all should play no role.

 

[shmogie]

Although religion is meant to create love and unity it represents probably the largest group of ‘us and thems’ on the planet.

Some religions instead compete with one another for the number 1 spot and some leaders teach their followers that any other religion but theirs is satanic thus creating prejudices and hate between religions. There have even been wars so deep has the prejudice and hatred become.

But does it have to be like this?

Outwardly the different religions have different customs and traditions but inwardly they all strive for a higher purpose.

What would be the harm if we prayed and meditated and visited each other’s places of worship? In my travels I’ve visited Hindu Temples, Christian Churches, Muslim Mosques, Jewish Synagogues and Buddhist Pagodas and I found they all believe in truth and goodness.

So why don’t the religionists visit and worship together and establish friendship and fellowship because they all teach love and unity?

My wife and I who are of a different Faith have been visiting our local Catholic Church and we have made so many friends. They are so welcoming and loving. I believe if each religion extends true friendship to the other religions the time will come when diversity of religion will cease and we will be as one family.

What do you think?

Speaking as a Christian, true Christianity isn't a religion, it is a relationship with God. Yet, much of Christianity has become a religion, where mans wants, desires, and ego are allowed to diminish the relationship and encourage wordliness.

Christianity certainly is about love, that is the very heart of it, yet because we are committed to God through Jesus Christ, we will not compromise that in the name of unity.

Establishing friendships with those of other faiths is certainly a good thing for us, yet we cannot worship with those of other faiths, as they do not worship the same God as we do.

There is only one God, revealed through Christ, and the only way to be right with Him is through Christ.

In time, even his chosen people, the Jews will recognize this, their God is our God.

 

[loverofhumanity]

This is news to me.

Edit:


Again: news to me.

The teachings and scriptures of the major religions all teach to be virtuous and of good character and to treat others as one would wish to be treated.

That followers have failed to live up to these high standards is in no way the fault of the scriptures or the Prophet - Founder.

 

[loverofhumanity]

Speaking as a Christian, true Christianity isn't a religion, it is a relationship with God. Yet, much of Christianity has become a religion, where mans wants, desires, and ego are allowed to diminish the relationship and encourage wordliness.

Christianity certainly is about love, that is the very heart of it, yet because we are committed to God through Jesus Christ, we will not compromise that in the name of unity.

Establishing friendships with those of other faiths is certainly a good thing for us, yet we cannot worship with those of other faiths, as they do not worship the same God as we do.

There is only one God, revealed through Christ, and the only way to be right with Him is through Christ.

In time, even his chosen people, the Jews will recognize this, their God is our God.

Don’t the Jews worship the God of Abraham too as do Muslims?

 

[loverofhumanity]

There is no need to interrelate on a religious level in order to get along. In multi-ethnic settings, a school class may have a rich diversity or race, religion, parenting style , and more. The students will all get along, because they see each other as people.

I have nothing against going to houses of worship outside of your own, but it's certainly no necessity. Most of our time is spent outside of religion. When you go to a mechanic or a doctor, all you should care about is whether or not the person can do that job. Religion, race, gender, age, ethnicity all should play no role.

I agree to a point except when there are wars and hostilities between different faiths. I think that is because some of their leaders demonise other religions making their followers insensitive to killing one another. If they had been taught to see the good in each religion and to become friendly with one another I think a lot of wars could have been averted and good relations can only be a good thing I believe.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

The teachings and scriptures of the major religions all teach to be virtuous and of good character and to treat others as one would wish to be treated.

I disagree strongly with that claim. Religions tend to be hit-and-miss - and sometimes miss badly - on the issue of morality.

That followers have failed to live up to these high standards is in no way the fault of the scriptures or the Prophet - Founder.

... except to the extent that the teachings of the scriptures or prophet encourage or allow poor character or a lack of virtue.

 

[loverofhumanity]

Most religions strive for one truth. Not many truths. To simply accept other religions as they are is problematic in most doctrines. It undermines the singular truthfulness of that specific religion.



Other than, there's a problem for Jews to enter houses of idol-worship or even semi-idol-worship like Christianity, so that's one issue we Jews have. Mosques are okay, though.

I see your point there. But Christians basically believe in the God of Abraham too. When I enter a church I pray to God and do not worship the images.

 

[loverofhumanity]

I disagree strongly with that claim. Religions tend to be hit-and-miss - and sometimes miss badly - on the issue of morality.


... except to the extent that the teachings of the scriptures or prophet encourage or allow poor character or a lack of virtue.

Any particular moral issue?

 

[loverofhumanity]

Diversity of religion should exist for the sole reason
that preventing diversity would require oppression.

What about all the religious wars and bigotry?