Please, help me

weirdfish0 · Sep 1, 2011

I am about to organize a discussion, of which participants would be followers and representatives of few religios (christianity, islam, buddhism, maybe hinduism - haven't decided yet). We would discuss and comment features/teachings of at least 2 chosen religions, which are similar (for example Trinity in christianity and trimurti in hinduism). The aim of this discussion would be to show some similarities and a suggestion that most of religions say the same things but using different language. And now my question: will I find at least few examples which would prove it and which would be worth being discussed? Work on this project would take me several months and I would like to know if it's worth involvement or not. I read a few books and I'm still reading, but I don't have a university knowledge on this topic and I'd like to avoid a situation when after 1-2 months of my research it turnes out that at a deeper study of an example it appears that there aren't any similarities (although at first it seemed so).
Thank you for your help and SORRY FOR ANY MISTAKES, I'M NOT ENGLISH.
Also if the place of this thread is wrong, I'm sorry, but I'm new and I need a fast response.

Sunstone · Sep 1, 2011

I think you will find as many differences between religions as you do similarities -- and the differences may well be quite fundamental, while the similarities might prove to be rather superficial once you get into them.

weirdfish0 · Sep 1, 2011

what about abrahamic religions? what could be the topic to discuss?

Draka · Sep 1, 2011

Might I suggest looking into the writings of Joseph Campbell? Look up Carl Jung as well and between the two you may find that there's plenty to talk about.

weirdfish0 · Sep 1, 2011

Draka said:
Might I suggest looking into the writings of Joseph Campbell? Look up Carl Jung as well and between the two you may find that there's plenty to talk about.

Thank you very much

IsmailaGodHasHeard · Sep 1, 2011

Personally, I believe that Trinitarian Monotheism is very different than Hinduism because Christians believe in one God that exists in three Persons, and Hindus believe in several gods. That is the difference between the two. I hope that I have been helpful to you.

Father Heathen · Sep 1, 2011

IsmailaGodHasHeard said:
Personally, I believe that Trinitarian Monotheism is very different than Hinduism because Christians believe in one God that exists in three Persons, and Hindus believe in several gods. That is the difference between the two. I hope that I have been helpful to you.

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, their several gods are actually all facets of same being, Brahman.

Andal · Sep 1, 2011

IsmailaGodHasHeard said:
Personally, I believe that Trinitarian Monotheism is very different than Hinduism because Christians believe in one God that exists in three Persons, and Hindus believe in several gods. That is the difference between the two. I hope that I have been helpful to you.

Sanatana Dharma (the real name for our religion) is varied and multifaceted. There are 4 major theological schools as well as 6 major philosophical schools which are then divided into the many subgroups. To say that Hindus believe in several gods is wrong. I am Hindu and I am monotheist. There is one God with a capital G. There are however devas which are not gods in the way that Abrahamics think of gods. The closest comparison I could draw are angels with agency.

Please take a few moments to learn about our religion before spreading misinformation about it. Thanks.

Aum Hari Aum!

IsmailaGodHasHeard · Sep 1, 2011

Andal said:
Sanatana Dharma (the real name for our religion) is varied and multifaceted. There are 4 major theological schools as well as 6 major philosophical schools which are then divided into the many subgroups. To say that Hindus believe in several gods is wrong. I am Hindu and I am monotheist. There is one God with a capital G. There are however devas which are not gods in the way that Abrahamics think of gods. The closest comparison I could draw are angels with agency.

Please take a few moments to learn about our religion before spreading misinformation about it. Thanks.

Aum Hari Aum!

I am so sorry. I had no idea. I was always told that Hindus were polytheists. I do apologize.

Awoon · Sep 1, 2011

weirdfish0 said:
I am about to organize a discussion, of which participants would be followers and representatives of few religios (christianity, islam, buddhism, maybe hinduism - haven't decided yet). We would discuss and comment features/teachings of at least 2 chosen religions, which are similar (for example Trinity in christianity and trimurti in hinduism). The aim of this discussion would be to show some similarities and a suggestion that most of religions say the same things but using different language. And now my question: will I find at least few examples which would prove it and which would be worth being discussed? Work on this project would take me several months and I would like to know if it's worth involvement or not. I read a few books and I'm still reading, but I don't have a university knowledge on this topic and I'd like to avoid a situation when after 1-2 months of my research it turnes out that at a deeper study of an example it appears that there aren't any similarities (although at first it seemed so).
Thank you for your help and SORRY FOR ANY MISTAKES, I'M NOT ENGLISH.
Also if the place of this thread is wrong, I'm sorry, but I'm new and I need a fast response.

Add the religion Of Jesus and eliminate the religion About Jesus.

weirdfish0 · Sep 2, 2011

Awoon: That's what I wanted to do, get information directly from the Bible and not for example some middle ages' philosophers'. I think there are some even fundamental rules or prohibitions that mean the same in few religions (like the main idea of love).

And when it comes to hinduism, I consider hindus as monotheists (as Father Heathen said) and I would focus on a general idea of Brahman.

This project has to be prepared, organized and evaluated by March. So I will have to prepare myself and find topics, find people, organize the event and evaluate it. That's why I'm asking if it's worth involving (if not, I'll have to do something else). Also, for sure I won't be able to read whole Bible and other sacred texts, so could you give me some authors and titles of books that would help me a lot? Thanks.

Wombat · Sep 2, 2011

weirdfish0 said:
I am about to organize a discussion, of which participants would be followers and representatives of few religios (christianity, islam, buddhism, maybe hinduism - haven't decided yet). We would discuss and comment features/teachings of at least 2 chosen religions, which are similar (for example Trinity in christianity and trimurti in hinduism). The aim of this discussion would be to show some similarities and a suggestion that most of religions say the same things but using different language. And now my question: will I find at least few examples which would prove it and which would be worth being discussed? .

Hi weirdfish.
Your proposed discussion may well be served by examining The Golden Rule-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Rule
http://www.jcu.edu/philosophy/gensler/goldrule.htm

You might also consider the following observations....Most of the worlds major living religious traditions share the same common features-
A single figure isolated in history lays claim to revelation/message from God. (We never get pairs or clusters of founding figures in the same timeframe).
This revelation is frequently up against the status quo/state religion- strong opposition/persecution and impossible odds...yet wins out, survives and flourishes.
The founder of the new revelation/religion frequently draws on (is said to fulfil) prophecy and prediction of preceding revelation/s to establish authority.
Each of the founders of the worlds major faiths left prophecies regarding their return or the coming of a future messenger. Judaism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam as well as many Indigenous religious traditions all carry such prophetic expectations of a messiah or return of central figure.

What if they are >all< from the same Divine source and all followers are actually awaiting the same, common, messiah/return?

All the best from Australia.

Awoon · Sep 2, 2011

weirdfish0 said:
Awoon: That's what I wanted to do, get information directly from the Bible and not for example some middle ages' philosophers'. I think there are some even fundamental rules or prohibitions that mean the same in few religions (like the main idea of love).

And when it comes to hinduism, I consider hindus as monotheists (as Father Heathen said) and I would focus on a general idea of Brahman.

This project has to be prepared, organized and evaluated by March. So I will have to prepare myself and find topics, find people, organize the event and evaluate it. That's why I'm asking if it's worth involving (if not, I'll have to do something else). Also, for sure I won't be able to read whole Bible and other sacred texts, so could you give me some authors and titles of books that would help me a lot? Thanks.

There is a website called "Sacred Texts" very diverse and interesting. Ck it out.

weirdfish0 · Sep 3, 2011

Thank you a lot!

Riverwolf · Sep 3, 2011

IsmailaGodHasHeard said:
I am so sorry. I had no idea. I was always told that Hindus were polytheists. I do apologize.

In all fairness, I think the majority are. I, myself, am a monistic henotheist, which means I believe that there are multiple Gods with one God (Siva) heading them, but that ultimately, they're all of the same Substance.

HOWEVER, Hinduism is not, in itself, polytheistic or monotheistic. It has all the various forms of theism. Heck, even atheism manages to sneak its way in with some people.

Riverwolf · Sep 3, 2011

The Trimurti is not alike to the Christian Trinity at all. However, Hinduism DOES have a concept which has parallels, which doesn't really have its own name.

It is taught that there are three aspects to the Supreme: Brahman, Paramatman, and Bhagavan (sometimes called different things.) Brahman is the Absolute Reality and Source of all things (God the Father), Paramatman is the Universal Soul (Holy Spirit), and Bhagavan is the Supreme Person (God the Son.)

weirdfish0 · Sep 4, 2011

Riverwolf said:
The Trimurti is not alike to the Christian Trinity at all. However, Hinduism DOES have a concept which has parallels, which doesn't really have its own name.

It is taught that there are three aspects to the Supreme: Brahman, Paramatman, and Bhagavan (sometimes called different things.) Brahman is the Absolute Reality and Source of all things (God the Father), Paramatman is the Universal Soul (Holy Spirit), and Bhagavan is the Supreme Person (God the Son.)

You see, that's why I'm asking for help, to avoid this kind of situation. While reading an article about Trimurti, I noticed some similarities. Then in another article (and your post) it turnes out that I'm wrong. Thank you then.
Hinduism is so diverse, that's why I'm still wondering if I should consider it in my discussion.

Riverwolf · Sep 4, 2011

weirdfish0 said:
You see, that's why I'm asking for help, to avoid this kind of situation. While reading an article about Trimurti, I noticed some similarities. Then in another article (and your post) it turnes out that I'm wrong. Thank you then.
Hinduism is so diverse, that's why I'm still wondering if I should consider it in my discussion.

If you do, I would recommend doing only one part of it, and making sure that everyone knows it's only one part. I'd recommend Vaishnavism, since it's the most common.

Andal · Sep 5, 2011

weirdfish0 said:
You see, that's why I'm asking for help, to avoid this kind of situation. While reading an article about Trimurti, I noticed some similarities. Then in another article (and your post) it turnes out that I'm wrong. Thank you then.
Hinduism is so diverse, that's why I'm still wondering if I should consider it in my discussion.

Considering that Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world as well the oldest living tradition, you may want to seriously consider including it. However you should do so with the understanding and presentation that Hinduism is diverse and no single person speaks for all of us.

Aum Hari Aum!

Faith division · Jan 6, 2012

If u want to compare 2 close religions ,surely they are: islam and christianity
They have many commun beliefs and few differences.

Please, help me

New Member

De Diablo Del Fora

New Member

Wonder Woman

New Member

Well-Known Member

Veteran Member

resident hypnotist

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Amateur Rambler / Proud Ergi

Amateur Rambler / Proud Ergi

New Member

Amateur Rambler / Proud Ergi

resident hypnotist

Member