SFishy
05-28-2003, 05:18 PM
reposted
I had posted this a while back and thought I'd renew it. I am often giving this topic a lot of thought, and I'd like to share with you again a few things to think about.
Did you know that Christians, Muslims and Jews all believe the same creation story? They all believe in Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden, the Tree of Knowledge and in the temptation by the snake (Evil).
Did you know that Christians, Muslims and Jews all believe in Moses? They all believe that he was a great prophet who shared a message from God. The all believe that he shared ten commandments, and those ten commandments appear in the Hebrew Bible, The Old Testament of the Christian Bible, and in the Quran (wording slightly varies, premise is identical).
Did you know that Christian, Muslims and Jews all believe that Abraham was the first person to declare the existence of one, and only one, god? They all believe he had two sons and they all believe his will to serve God was tested when he was asked to sacrifice one of those sons (the Muslim story varies from Christian's and Jew's in which son it was).
Did you know that both Christians and Muslims agree Jesus was a prophet? Christians believe he was also the son of God (and God himself in human form). Muslims do not believe this, but believe he was a great prophet, born of a miracle, who was a healer, and a great messenger who told the people to believe in God, one God. Jews believe Jesus existed, but was not the Messiah nor a prophet. Details of his life and death all vary from faith to faith.
Did you know that most of the world's religions believe in heaven and hell (or some form of it)? Did you know that most of the world's relgions engage in some type of prayer? Did you know that most recognize the milestones of birth, marraige and death with ceremony?
Did you know that ALL of the world's organized religions have nearly identical ethical law? All of the world's religions teach of kindness and compassion to others, and universal love and peace. They all teach of respect for others and respect for all life. This is actually called natural law, or more commonly, "The Golden Rule", as most human beings recognize this as the ethical basis for living your life.
and more...
Christians, Jews and Muslims all believe in the prophet Noah and his building of the Ark to survive a great flood.
Christians (some) and Muslims can both pray using beads. Christians call it a Rosary. Muslims call it a Subhah or Tasbih. Also, some Buddhists and Hindus keep track of their prayers using beads.
Compassion for others is encouraged in virtually all religions. Christianity, Judaism and Islam express that showing compassion to others is how believers imitate the kindness and mercy of God. One of the core values of Buddhism is called Karuna -- understanding with the experience of all living things. In Hindu beliefs it's called Daya, and is also one of the core virtues.
Just about all religions emphasize the importance of charity to others.
Just about all religions emphasize the importance of joy, bliss, honesty, patience, and forgiveness -- both for others, and yourself.
This is true of Christianity, Muslim, Judiasm, Wiccan, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism (the world's oldest monotheistic religion) and many others.
Not one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother what he desires for himself (Muslim)
Wound not others, do no one injury by thought or deed, utter no word to pain thy fellow creatures (Hindu)
Do not do to others what you would not like yourself (Confucianism)
If you do not wish to be mistreated by others, do not mistreat anyone yourself (Zoroastrianism)
We obtain salvation by loving our fellow man and God (Sikhism)
Having made oneself the example, one should neither slay nor cause to slay... As I am so are other beings; thus let one not strike another, nor get another struck. This is the meaning. (Buddhism)
One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essense of morality. (Hindu)
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Judaism)
Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them (Christianity)
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Judaism & Christianity)
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor (Judiasm)
An (if) it harm none, do what thou will (Wiccan)
Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire* (Taoism)
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Christianity)
You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Judiasm & Christianity)
A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated (Jainism)
Comparing oneself to others in such terms as Just as I am so are they, just as they are so am I, he should neither kill nor cause others to kill (Buddhism)
One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts (African Traditional Religions)
Treat not others in ways that yourself would find hurtful (Buddhism)
We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive (Native Spirituality)
Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain, and your neighbors loss as your own loss (Taoism)
We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent of all existence of which we are a part (Unitarianism)
Whatever you do will return to you threefold (Wiccan)
Respect for all life is the foundation (Native American)
Do not wrong or hate your neighbor. For it is not he who you wrong, but yourself (Native American)
You can read more here (http://members.aol.com/porchfour/religion/golden.htm) or by looking up "golden rule" at Google.
I think it's important to remember this when posting here in the Spirituality Forum. Not one person here would want to have their faith, spirituality or religion bashed. Not one person here would like to be told "you are going to hell" or "your faith is a lie".
Often times we have more in common that what you may think. Everyone finds their own spiritual path... and even if you, in your heart, believe that another has chosen wrong, do not say to them what you wouldn't want said to yourself. You wouldn't want your own belief trashed and put down -- pay others the same respect. You might say "yes, but I KNOW my way is the right way" -- remember, the person sitting next to you probably feels just as strongly about their way as you feel about yours.
We can all explore our faiths side-by-side without hurting each other. Our simularities can bring us together, and should never tear us apart.
Quote from the Dalai Lama: "All the different religions of the world are needed to enrich human experience and world civilization. Our human minds, being of different caliber and disposition, need different approaches to peace and happiness. It is just like food. Certain people find Christianity more appealing, others prefer Buddhism -- We can make similar arguments for other religions as well. Thus, the point is clear: humanity needs all the world's religions to suit the ways of life, diverse spiritual needs, and inherited national traditions of individual human beings... It is from this perspective that I welcome efforts being made in various parts of the world for better understanding among religions. "
Take care of YOU
I had posted this a while back and thought I'd renew it. I am often giving this topic a lot of thought, and I'd like to share with you again a few things to think about.
Did you know that Christians, Muslims and Jews all believe the same creation story? They all believe in Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden, the Tree of Knowledge and in the temptation by the snake (Evil).
Did you know that Christians, Muslims and Jews all believe in Moses? They all believe that he was a great prophet who shared a message from God. The all believe that he shared ten commandments, and those ten commandments appear in the Hebrew Bible, The Old Testament of the Christian Bible, and in the Quran (wording slightly varies, premise is identical).
Did you know that Christian, Muslims and Jews all believe that Abraham was the first person to declare the existence of one, and only one, god? They all believe he had two sons and they all believe his will to serve God was tested when he was asked to sacrifice one of those sons (the Muslim story varies from Christian's and Jew's in which son it was).
Did you know that both Christians and Muslims agree Jesus was a prophet? Christians believe he was also the son of God (and God himself in human form). Muslims do not believe this, but believe he was a great prophet, born of a miracle, who was a healer, and a great messenger who told the people to believe in God, one God. Jews believe Jesus existed, but was not the Messiah nor a prophet. Details of his life and death all vary from faith to faith.
Did you know that most of the world's religions believe in heaven and hell (or some form of it)? Did you know that most of the world's relgions engage in some type of prayer? Did you know that most recognize the milestones of birth, marraige and death with ceremony?
Did you know that ALL of the world's organized religions have nearly identical ethical law? All of the world's religions teach of kindness and compassion to others, and universal love and peace. They all teach of respect for others and respect for all life. This is actually called natural law, or more commonly, "The Golden Rule", as most human beings recognize this as the ethical basis for living your life.
and more...
Christians, Jews and Muslims all believe in the prophet Noah and his building of the Ark to survive a great flood.
Christians (some) and Muslims can both pray using beads. Christians call it a Rosary. Muslims call it a Subhah or Tasbih. Also, some Buddhists and Hindus keep track of their prayers using beads.
Compassion for others is encouraged in virtually all religions. Christianity, Judaism and Islam express that showing compassion to others is how believers imitate the kindness and mercy of God. One of the core values of Buddhism is called Karuna -- understanding with the experience of all living things. In Hindu beliefs it's called Daya, and is also one of the core virtues.
Just about all religions emphasize the importance of charity to others.
Just about all religions emphasize the importance of joy, bliss, honesty, patience, and forgiveness -- both for others, and yourself.
This is true of Christianity, Muslim, Judiasm, Wiccan, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism (the world's oldest monotheistic religion) and many others.
Not one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother what he desires for himself (Muslim)
Wound not others, do no one injury by thought or deed, utter no word to pain thy fellow creatures (Hindu)
Do not do to others what you would not like yourself (Confucianism)
If you do not wish to be mistreated by others, do not mistreat anyone yourself (Zoroastrianism)
We obtain salvation by loving our fellow man and God (Sikhism)
Having made oneself the example, one should neither slay nor cause to slay... As I am so are other beings; thus let one not strike another, nor get another struck. This is the meaning. (Buddhism)
One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essense of morality. (Hindu)
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Judaism)
Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them (Christianity)
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Judaism & Christianity)
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor (Judiasm)
An (if) it harm none, do what thou will (Wiccan)
Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire* (Taoism)
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Christianity)
You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Judiasm & Christianity)
A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated (Jainism)
Comparing oneself to others in such terms as Just as I am so are they, just as they are so am I, he should neither kill nor cause others to kill (Buddhism)
One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts (African Traditional Religions)
Treat not others in ways that yourself would find hurtful (Buddhism)
We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive (Native Spirituality)
Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain, and your neighbors loss as your own loss (Taoism)
We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent of all existence of which we are a part (Unitarianism)
Whatever you do will return to you threefold (Wiccan)
Respect for all life is the foundation (Native American)
Do not wrong or hate your neighbor. For it is not he who you wrong, but yourself (Native American)
You can read more here (http://members.aol.com/porchfour/religion/golden.htm) or by looking up "golden rule" at Google.
I think it's important to remember this when posting here in the Spirituality Forum. Not one person here would want to have their faith, spirituality or religion bashed. Not one person here would like to be told "you are going to hell" or "your faith is a lie".
Often times we have more in common that what you may think. Everyone finds their own spiritual path... and even if you, in your heart, believe that another has chosen wrong, do not say to them what you wouldn't want said to yourself. You wouldn't want your own belief trashed and put down -- pay others the same respect. You might say "yes, but I KNOW my way is the right way" -- remember, the person sitting next to you probably feels just as strongly about their way as you feel about yours.
We can all explore our faiths side-by-side without hurting each other. Our simularities can bring us together, and should never tear us apart.
Quote from the Dalai Lama: "All the different religions of the world are needed to enrich human experience and world civilization. Our human minds, being of different caliber and disposition, need different approaches to peace and happiness. It is just like food. Certain people find Christianity more appealing, others prefer Buddhism -- We can make similar arguments for other religions as well. Thus, the point is clear: humanity needs all the world's religions to suit the ways of life, diverse spiritual needs, and inherited national traditions of individual human beings... It is from this perspective that I welcome efforts being made in various parts of the world for better understanding among religions. "
Take care of YOU