Why should diversity of religion exist?

[PureX]

I'm discussing relationships between religions.

Religions don't have relationships, people do. It's only when people let their religions define them that they have difficulty relating to people of other religions.

 

[PureX]

Religions are born out of irrationality. People only need to do yoga, meditation and service to the sufferering, no more is needed.

Most humans are not rational in the way you mean that term. And to expect them to be something other than what they are is ... well, irrational.

 

[shmogie]

Protestants do not have statues in their churches. That is a Catholic thing and one reason w

Gosh, the old man hit the wrong button again, sorry. Statues are one reason the Church split and Protestant churches exist today.

 

[shmogie]

Religions don't have relationships, people do. It's only when people let their religions define them that they have difficulty relating to people of other religions.

I have no problem relating to anyone.

You are dead wrong about having a relationship with God, you have not the slightest understanding of it, so you speak from ignorance, not knowledge.

 

[CG Didymus]

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?

There's a good argument that religion was used to keep the status quo within a society or culture. Ethnic identity seemed to be tied in with religion in ancient times all the way to fairly recent times.

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

Most religions strive for one truth. Not many truths. To simply accept other religions as they are is problematic in most doctrines.

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.

To find unity, friendship and love, sometimes it seems necessary to go beyond ones religious beliefs. The Baha'is concept of the oneness of humanity is fine. But, to say all religions are one, is a problem. If love and peace and unity and acceptance of all people is the main doctrine of a religion, then that would be different. But it ain't. Most religions have conflicting doctrines that makes them separate from the other religions.

For the sake of peace and unity, then why not dump those religions that have those divisive kinds of doctrines?

 

[Harel13]

For the sake of peace and unity, then why not dump those religions that have those divisive kinds of doctrines?

Because truth is also an important concept.

 

[Marcion]

Needed for what?

Needed to expand the individual consciousness into the Supreme Consciousness (God or Holy Spirit), just like the historical Yeshua taught. Serving His suffering creation selflessly (without ego) is a way to come closer to Him and yoga and meditation makes this easier.

 

[CG Didymus]

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

I think religions are hit or miss on a lot of things, because, unlike Baha'is, I don't think God was the primary source of the religions, or maybe not at all. I think people and their religious leaders, their culture and whatever influence the beliefs of other cultures influenced them... helped create what those people believed what was the truth. I think there is even some things in Christianity that appear to have come from pagan religions and not from "God". Yeah, like with morals... Did God give those rules or did the people in that culture? Did God say to stone adulterers and homosexuals to death or was it the religious leaders in that culture? And if God thought it best at that time, why doesn't God still have those rules today? The moral rules keep changing. So is it God or people making them? So is it belief the rules and doctrines came from God the problem why religions can't get along?

 

[CG Didymus]

Personally I’m finding that visiting other places of worship is leading to strong friendships which is breaking down age old barriers.

And what are those barriers? One of them has to be that some religions think theirs is the only one that has the truth. Do they? I think a lot of people these days are questioning that and going beyond thinking that their religion is the only one right.

So if a Jew and Christian become good friends that doesn’t mean each has to give up his religion. But using diversity of belief as a reason to keep aloof from our fellow human (which many do) being I firmly reject and believe to be prejudice and very wrong.

Unfortunately, as I remember, God told Jews not to associate with their neighbors or to intermarry. And, I always bring up that God had Elijah kill all the prophets of another religion. Why? Because they believed in a "false God." I'm glad "prophets" of other religions aren't doing that to the "prophets" of other religions.

So today is different. Today, kind of like what the Baha'is are saying, get rid of those religious beliefs that separate people and cause animosity between them. But, are those beliefs that easy to dispose of?

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Well, for Loverofhumanity Jesus is not a God. She also believes that the newest right way is through Bahaullah who

She is a He, with a most loving heart.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I think religions are hit or miss on a lot of things, because, unlike Baha'is, I don't think God was the primary source of the religions, or maybe not at all.

Now you are choosing to see man's input only.

Regards Tony

 

[CG Didymus]

Because truth is also an important concept.

The liberal sides of Christianity and Judaism do seem to down play the "Truth" doctrines. They, I think, focus more on doctrines that bring people together. Like the do unto others as you'd like them to do unto you kind of doctrines. Religions, like a more conservative Christianity are going to focus on Jesus is God, He is the only way, all the stuff about heaven and hell and the devil and how we are supposedly dead in our sin. That's fine for them. And, I can see how they come to believe those things from their Scriptures. But, that is their "Truth" and it's not your Truth and it's not the Truth of most of the other religions. So to hold on to some things that a religion says is "The Truth" is going to divide people rather than bring them together. Since most every religion does have their version of "Truth".... is that relative truth worth keeping and believing in? Of course some are going to say "yes" because they'll say that is The Truth. So great, we'll keep arguing and keep fighting over beliefs. But really, is it worth it?

 

[TransmutingSoul]

So today is different. Today, kind of like what the Baha'is are saying, get rid of those religious beliefs that separate people and cause animosity between them. But, are those beliefs that easy to dispose of?

The purpose is not to dispose, but renew.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

But, to say all religions are one, is a problem.

The Baha'i writings say the Foundation is one with a twofold purpose, not that all religion is one and the same, as it is obvious it is not.

I see the Kitab-i-Iqan is still not on your reading list, read that book and you will know what is being offered by Loverofhumanity.

Regards Tony

 

[CG Didymus]

Religion was never meant to create love and unity. It was created to satisfy the ego of their founders

I think the problem will be solved when people stop being religious (or at least stop taking their beliefs too serious).

Religions are born out of irrationality.

Religions don't have relationships, people do. It's only when people let their religions define them that they have difficulty relating to people of other religions.

I agree with these types of observations. And, I think even Baha'is are close to saying this also. Baha'is say that religions need to get rid of their superstitious beliefs. Which religion doesn't have some beliefs that others couldn't say that those beliefs are irrational and superstitious? And, for some, that includes believing in God. And since most all religions define God differently, then there's a good chance most of them are wrong and those beliefs are only superstitions.

The purpose is not to dispose, but renew.

I see the Kitab-i-Iqan is still not on your reading list,

​

But, of course, not the Baha'is. They define God perfectly. And their laws and moral codes are perfect, because they came from God. But wait, wouldn't that mean that the beliefs of all the other religions are wrong? Yes, Tony... that is kind of what the Baha'i Faith teaches. So all other religions need to get rid of their beliefs that no longer work and follow God's new message.

Oh, and was around the Baha'i Faith for three years. I've probably heard and maybe even read some of the quotes from that book. For me, the flowery language makes it difficult to follow. A quote that gets to the point is much better.

 

[Harel13]

But really, is it worth it?

Yep.

I don't buy into Jewish liberalism. If something is true, you adhere to it through belief that it'll pull through, no matter what.

 

[leov]

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?

religions were designed to evolve parallel with developments of consciousness.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

If something is true, you adhere to it through belief that it'll pull through, no matter what.

A problem I see with this though, has to do with god doing things that are impossible. If god can do the impossible, then there's a fair chance that god manufactured truth and religion, and can produce these things with multiplicity. On the other side of this coin, If he did not create the first religion and truth, then it isn't entirely clear that he fully captains them. In either case, it seems clear that ancient biblical religion existed when the world was at the height of henotheism, does the bible really completely invalidate the existence of foreign divine forces if it developed in such a context

 

[TransmutingSoul]

But, of course, not the Baha'is. They define God perfectly.

The key here is it is not a Baha'i that defines this at all, it was Baha'ullah. So the issue is if Baha'ullah is as claimed, then God has spoken to us again and God has defined all Faith for us.

Abdul'baha offered this;

"When you meet those whose opinions differ from your own, do not turn away your face from them. All are seeking truth, and there are many roads leading thereto. Truth has many aspects, but it remains always and forever one. Do not allow difference of opinion, or diversity of thought to separate you from your fellow-men, or to be the cause of dispute, hatred and strife in your hearts. Rather, search diligently for the truth and make all men your friends." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 53

This talks of the source behind all Faith, all that we can know has a single source and that quote is a path to unity.

"Bahá’u’lláh has announced that the foundation of all the religions of God is one, that oneness is truth and truth is oneness which does not admit of plurality. This teaching is new and specialized to this Manifestation." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 453

Truth in Faith, Truth in Science, TRUTH has one source. We are on one planet and are one human race, please!

You were around when this song came out -

Regards Tony

 

[Harel13]

In either case, it seems clear that ancient biblical religion existed when the world was at the height of henotheism, does the bible really completely invalidate the existence of foreign divine forces if it developed in such a context

I'm not entirely sure I'm following, but it seems to me a misunderstanding of the core of monotheistic religions (at least the Abrahamic ones): God is truth, God gave us the way of truth. This is what believers call "religion" today (whichever one that may be). That religion is eternally true - it was true from the creation of the universe (some may say, even before that) and it'll be true to the end of the universe. It wasn't created by men that were looking around at their societies, finding faults and doing the opposite; it was created by God who was, is and will be, and is independent of a certain time period.

So of course the Bible invalidates other divine forces (in the way you mean them to be - other deities).