Are All Religions the Same? Essay Example

Concerning the synonymy of religions, the issue has been held on in different opinions. A poll conducted by Barn poll on segments of American-adults suggested that "worship, whether by Christians, Jews, Buddhists or others is channeled to the same god. The difference merely lies in names we give our deities. Mahatma Gandhi has also voiced an opinion in demystifying this, "The soul of religion is one, but encased in a multitude of forms." Comparatively, the opinion of religion, their creed, their beliefs and what they regard as the truth irrespective of the equivalences, is marred by discrepancies (Smith & Marranca, 2009). Distinguishable, mutual exclusivity still reigns. A case in point is the nature of God. Christianity believes in a monotheistic, personal God. For Buddhists, it is a monistic impersonal God while for the Hindus it is a Monistic cum polytheistic God that is an impersonal god approached through various gods and idols. One will concede to the fact that there is the belief in a supreme being, common denominator. Even so, the essentiality and attributes of this being are subject to argument.

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Equally important, is the Identity of Jesus Christ. For Christianity, Jesus Christ is a revelation of God in a personal form, a supernatural being worshipped, a divinity and immortal god whereas, for Jews, Jesus Christ is mortal and human with the fetters (mortal) and personalities of human nature. In Buddhism the concept is rejected as Buddha is not a god, even no son of God, In Islam for Muhammad is to compare with Allah would be sacrilegious-he is not God's son. All of those religions, save for Christianity, the power of God takes precedence and cannot be equated to their sons. This differs with Christians who believe in the Trinity, the existence of three in one. The Spirit, The Father, and The Son are the same thing. This has been opposed by other religions as tri-theism and would be deemed blasphemous.

Next on the issues is salvation. In Christianity, salvation is the sole role of God in His perfection and holiness whereas, in other religions, it is hinged on good deeds and works. Other religions have stipulated code of ethics, practice, and acts that must be met for consummation with the spiritual realm and reward after death for Islam (Smith & Marranca, 2009). Conclusively, there is a cross-cutting notion of redemption though in different approaches. One unique, undisputable commonality is also the virtues they teach-peace, love, harmony for one and neighbor as espoused by their founders--Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed. This could insinuate that all religions lead to one God. These moral platitudes make them an ecumenical-interfaith. In Christianity, Jesus explained the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Rabbi Hillel, a Jewish teacher, and sage sums it as: "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation. Muhammad taught: "As you would have people do to you, do to them; and what you dislike to be done to you, do not do to them." Buddha, "Hurt not others in ways that you would find hurtful." These virtues foster goodwill between humans and are embellished by all religions. This is the primary role of religions all over the world and could be what has earned them legitimacy and respect and a following.

Noteworthy is the concept of sin, which is an act of rebellion that is bound to separate man from God. Christianity and Islam Strongly upbraid and forbid sins, and the doctrine of hell is brought up to punish sinners. This is an effective measure in ensuring the doctrine is understood and followed to the latter. All religions discourage against sin and are to the good of human being relationships. A world with reckless sinning would be of chaos. These moral attributes are thus hardwired in the believer's mind, inner-self, and conscience.

Christian, Islam and mainstream Judaism believe in the existence of human beings in a single lifetime on Earth, after which there is a life after. Either heaven or hell judging divinely on the moral uprightness one lived. Well, the doctrine of hell is subject to questioning. The Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs believe in human beings exist in multiple life forms, several reincarnations, that is embodiments in new forms. All these seek to cultivate faith and hope, that death is not the end of life in this respect: Jews and Islam have the belief that obedience to the will of God is allowing the human soul to partake with God. For Christians, it is faith in Christ through salvation is the ultimate redemption from hell. For Hindus and Buddhism, it is the metaphysical law of Karma, determines one's future reincarnations, also believes in spiritual enlightenment as an in the face of spiritual ignorance.

In my view, religion is a labyrinth of uncanny beliefs and systems whose demystifying would always promote the endless debate. Which religion is supreme over the other? Which one worships the true God? Perhaps a rule of thumb would be, if you choose a religion, do not question. This may not work for the curious, the apologists and thinkers. I concur that all strive to inculcate the values of goodness and unity in the world. All have a philosophical explanation to Soul, meaning, and purpose of human life, nature of existence. Contradiction remains the bone of contention in Abrahamic religions, Buddhists and Hindus. Religious tolerance would be better. Let us support the cause for freedom of conscience and belief and avoid radicalizing religion (Smith & Marranca, 2009).

Conclusion

Huston Smith's quote would perhaps express the concept of religion, "Heaven and Earth are my inner and outer coffins. The sun, moon, and stars are my drapery, and the whole creation my funeral procession. What more do I want?" It is commendable how this author puts this simple as life is a journey-as much as we are sure of death after life, still put hopes rife of life after death. Feel you have had enough of this wisdom? Not until I part with this one, more related to Ancient Greek philosophy, more mind-boggling, not to sophisticate our understanding, but as food for thought, "Never during its pilgrimage is the human spirit completely adrift and alone. From start to finish its nucleus is the Atman, the god-within underlying its whirlpool of transient feelings, emotions, and delusions are the self-luminous, abiding point of the transpersonal god. As the sun lights the world even when cloud-covered, "the Immutable is never seen but is the Witness; it is never heard but is the Hearer; it is never thought but is the Thinker; it is never known but is the Knower. There is no other witness but this, no other knower but this."

References

Smith, H., & Marranca, R. (2009). The world's religions. New York: Harper One.