Although most great religions claim their religion is the only path to salvation, I think all religions are trying to achieve the same goal. As far as I can tell, people just want to raise their children in piece and provide a better life for their children they they or their parents had. I think this is pretty much Universal all over the planet. We need to see our ourselves more as people of Earth and not so much the degrading labels we give each other to scapegoat our personal and social problems.
When studying Joseph Campbell was the first time I studied comparative mythology and comparative religion. Most of world's great religions all have very common and similar threads of truth. We all love the golden rule because as an idea it is probably the single greatest achievement of man to justify having morals in our behaviors. I thought it would be nice to point out a number of expressions of the golden rule in some of the world's great religious disciplines:
Baha’i Faith
Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.
Baha’u’llah, Gleanings
Buddhism
Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
The Buddha, Udana-Varga 5.18
Christianity
In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
Jesus, Matthew 7:12
Confucianism
One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct … loving-kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.
Confucius Analects 15.23
Hinduism
This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.
Mahabharata 5:1517
Islam
Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.
The Prophet Muhammad, Hadith
Book 001, Number 0072:
It is arrested on the authority of Anas b. Malik that the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon
him) observed: one amongst you believes (truly) till one likes for his brother or for his neighbour
that which he loves for himself.
Jainism
One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.
Mahavira, Sutrakritanga
Judaism
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.
Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a
Native Spirituality
We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.
Chief Dan George
Sikhism
I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am a friend to all.
Guru Granth Sahib, p. 1299
Taoism
Regard your neighbour’s gain as your own gain and your neighbour’s loss as your own loss.
Lao Tzu, T’ai Shang Kan Ying P’ien, 213-218
Unitarianism
We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Unitarian principle
Zoroastrianism
Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.
Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29
It really doesn't matter which word or syllables you use for "God". We have more in common than the war propaganda would have us think!
