All Comments (8)

It is true that we all work from our own stories and, Christianity especially, is motivated to most of its ideals and virtures by its mythos. But, is it possible that we as "the religious" across borders can adopt a new story that we can share? It could not be the same as the traditional mythoi, but it could still provide a uniting point. And the current atmosphere of tolerance and cooperation could provide that new story. Maybe, as Bishop Spong wrote, it's time for Christianity (and everyone) to change a bit, or go the way of the Roman Pantheon.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,

People forget the fact that yes all these religions share similarities, but lets look from the outside in. Take gender biased in all religion but true christians respect women as equal not inferior, also tolerance budhism teaches tolerance but where is equality those who know the true word know women (Mary Magdalane, etc) where also given the task just as men, but the powers that be suppressed that to make men superior. But even with that being said Christ is kind to all regardless of race, gender, age, wealth and all who hear His word are called on to spread it not so with most religions and even catholics don't have it right Christ saves all who believe in Him. Budha does not save anyone but he does not harm you either because he is not a religion mankind turn his way of thought into a religion, so by that marxism, maoism,etc they are considered religions are they not. People forget God is not a religion but a faith given to us when we are born regardless of religion.
So only your faith in God can save you not your faith in man and man made religions and that is the differance in what Yeshua preached to all. Just like with anything you have to look at it from all angles inside and out, upside and down and all around. God Bless and Peace always. Matthew Joseph
PathofYeshua.net

Can't we say the same thing about other classes of organizations? Religion doesn't hold some kind of patent on love, compassion, and forgiveness? There are organizations that have never done anything else and can be expected to never do otherwise, the Red Cross for example. Even the Moose Lodge teaches love, compassion, and forgiveness.

Religion is a different animal altogether that has the capacity for hate. Most all preach and and teach some form of eternal punishment with "being left out of the big party" being the least punishment for those who don't see things their way.

I doubt there is a horrid person of history that doesn't have a record of love, compassion, and forgiveness. Look close enough and people like Hitler and Capone did some of that but like religion only to the righteous. They are more representative of religion than "The Loyal Order of Elks." Religion goes well beyond "just an innocent organization" a club or assembly of folks of a like mind about what supernatural being demand.

Religions enforce the demands of imaginary beings, Gods. The thing that sets religions apart, makes them terrorist organizations is the enforcement of God's will. Love, compassion, and forgiveness is the faint. Ruling the world is the goal. Enforcing God's will is the means.

God needs no help from people. Therefore, by process of elimination all worship is Devil worship. And, the three great faith's Devil is documented in sacred scriptures. In their beginning, OT, love, compassion, and forgiveness wasn't even an option much less a goal so Devil was desirable.

It's a matter of comprehension. http://www.hoax-buster.org/sellyoursoul

Knowing little about Buddhism it's difficult to say they are like the three great faiths. But then there is the little skirmish with the ultra Buddhist Japanese who exhibited little love, compassion, and forgiveness. Until their living God that, according the them "broke, malfunctioned" forcing them to do the honorable thing and have enjoyed a lot of love, compassion, and forgiveness ever since.

Maybe the misidentification of God is the problem for all religions? The only difference between God and Lucifer is which side won the big fight for control of heaven.

Two thousand years of Christianity has been two thousand years of wars.Religion hasn't helped.In fact it was part of most of them.
The recent 'Hallmark' version of Christianity is non-violent because of secular restraints on religion,as a result of the Enlightenment;
otherwise they'd be burning my atheist @ss at the stake,or torturing me until I saw the light, and recanted my disbelief.(as if such a thing is possible...to recant what one believes).
Out of my twenty first century eyes religion looks increasingly like superstitious nonsense made up by our ancestors as a response to the fear and ignorance of their confusing and savage world.
We have come a long way since then,thanks to scientists and writers and philosophers who broke free of the dogma and rediscovered the world of reality,and showed that the supernatural world is unreal,like the gods who inhabit them.

Let's look upon message of DL with an open mind. That all major religions be carrying an message of love, compassion, forgiveness. Having little value,if not being put to practice.It be not an case of self congragulations,rather the words of DL bring major religions,as its leaders,to shame.

I'm not entirely comfortable with that characterization, Martin... If people see some of the negatives in a form of religion, it doesn't help anything to turn it around on them and say, 'You're really just not Good and Spiritual Enough.'

If people in these religions are *practicing* compassion, then they need to know where things aren't so rosy, too, not blithely do the work of those who'd use religion to exploit and dominate.

I think it's important that we all see the good in each other, but not absolve ourselves of the effects of what we do.

The one who looks at world religions and sees love, compassion, and forgiveness is telling us at least as much about him or herself as about religions.

The skeptics who see rigidity, judgementalism, and parochialism -- likewise.