which is the most tolerant and peaceful religion in the world ?

Question

i would like to get your opinions regarding which is ....

1) the most peaceful, all inclusive religion
2) which religion gives real freedom to people
3) which religion is most tolerant of other faiths
4) which religion will make the world a better place to live

your comments are highly solicited

Answer 1

1) Sanatana Dharma, which is eternal religion of the soul with the supersoul , is not catering to the needs of just a limited few isms, viz., Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Mohammedianism, Chirstianism, Zorastarisnism etc... Sanatana Dharma is universal and it includes the sectarian teachings of different isms.

2) Sanatana Dharma again. It is not one sided it is all inclusive for different people with different natures. For instance, Krishna in the Bhagavad gita gives different processes,viz., Karma Yoga, Sankhya YogaJnanga Yoga, Dhyana Yoga and ultimately Bhakti Yoga. Even in the 12th chapter entitled Bhakti Yoga, Krishna gives various options if one cannot adopt Bhakti Yoga, one can follow the regulative principles of Bhakti Yoga. If not even that then work for the Param Brahma. If one cannot even do that in the verse 12 Krishna says some more options,"If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind."

Also after giving the final instructions to Arjuna that he should surrender unto the Supersoul dwelling withing the hearts of all Krishna says without forcing Arjuna but gives him freedom of choice by telling, "Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do".

3) The practitioners of Sanatana Dharma accept that God has given different people according to time,place and circumstances different ways to achieve him by giving Vedas, Bible, Quran etc....

4) Sanatana Dharma says,"Sarve sukhino bhavantu", that everyone become happy, not just christians, muslims, hindus, buddhists etc...

Answer 2

I'd say Hinduism or Buddhism. I can speak more for Hinduism since I'm Hindu. Hindus have no penalty for apostasy, and those wishing to return to Hinduism are welcomed. Hindus respect all faiths, this is evidenced by the fact that India has so many religions and very little internal conflict. Hindus believe strongly in the notion of nonviolence and in karma, both of which would contribute strongly to people acting better.

A lot of the things I mentioned for Hinduism would also apply to Buddhism.

In actuality, all religions are meant to be tolerant and peaceful, but sometimes there is a natural drive to spread the faith and for some, that means putting down other faiths in favor of their own (at least that's what I would guess). This does not apply to all constituents of faiths that are known for active proselytizing, just a few. No religion preaches violence, that goes against basic moral fiber, yet a lot of ignorance, misinterpretation, and communication leads to the religious conflicts we know today.

Answer 3

1) the most peaceful, all inclusive religion
Hinduism - India is an example: note that the president of India is a Muslim, Prime Minister is a Sikh, Leader of Opposition is a Hindu. Sikh guards assassinated Indira Gandhi - who is Man Mohan Singh? Isn't Gandhi family tolerant and inclusive? Buddhism, Jainism are born from Hinduism. See the construction architecture in India - Blend of parsi, hindu, muslim, etc.

2) which religion gives real freedom to people
Hinduism - You can see the ancient Indian literature, No one tried to destroy contradicting literature.

3) which religion is most tolerant of other faiths
Hinduism - Best example is a secular country like India. Compare lives of minorities in India vs other countries.

4) which religion will make the world a better place to live
You got the answer. India never invaded any country. You know who is fond of wars. And where from terrorists are born. And where most terrorists are from.

Answer 4

1) No organized religion is "all inclusive." There's not much point in buying into a given religion unless you're convinced that it's necessary to your "salvation," whatever that may mean in your particular context. Hence all who fail to follow suit are "damned" or the equivalent. Hence all dogmatic religion is inherently bigoted.

2) "All religions contain some Truth," and the right person in the right circumstances may attain to some degree of illumination by the means generally recommended by his religion. Thus the Christian may experience mystical union with "Christ" through devotional practices, while the Buddhist may attain to "enlightenment" by dint of meditation. But you probably really mean "social" freedom, i.e. which religion places the fewest social contraints on its devotees. The answer to that is that it depends on the culture in which the religion thrives; and even though religion informs and reflects culture, many other factors mediate its influence.

3) See 1).

4) Depends entirely on your definition of a "better world!"

Answer 5

All of them and none of them. They all contain people and people (especially in large groups) have a tendency to do crazy, rude, obnoxious, bigotted things--no matter what they believe.

Ideally, religion should temper those tendencies, but, that doesn't always happen. I wouldn't blame the faith for the unfaithful acts of some of the adherents over the course of time.

As a convert to Catholicism, I have a great amount of respect for the teachings of the Catholic Church and feel that the Church has done a lot of good in the world. At the same time, knowing the history, I see it as having made mistakes resulting from actions of individuals that were, ultimately very human.

As for the question of "freedom", that is an interesting one. Free will always exists, but, isn't the point of religion to help people guide their lives in a healthy way? Some acts of free will lead to poor health and unhappy conclusions. Is it really freedom if you are given enough rope to hang yourself with? Or is freedom obtained through obedience to the law and the betterment of others?

Answer 6

There is only one peaceful religion, 'Humanism'. Understand that we are are humans first then every thing would be peaceful,would give real freedom, would make you most tolerant of other faith and would make the world a better place to live.

Answer 7

None of them.

Atheism is the most peaceful, all inclusive of the religious sectors. (I use the term "religious sector", because it is not a religion) Nobody dies in the name of atheism.

Atheism promotes free thought.

A recent Minnesota study showed atheism to be the least tolerated and one of the most tolerant of the religious sectors.

Atheism will force people to really think about issues instead of just regurgitate what someone said that God said. They are less likely to judge people based on superficial characteristics.

Answer 8

An observation:

The Hindu temple nearest my house has, along with idols of traditional Hindu gods, idols of Gautama Buddha (of Buddhism) and Mahavir (of Jainism) and another Jain 'tirthankar'. There is also an idol of someone who lived in the previous century. This is not isolated. Most Hindu temples in the USA are like this.

I doubt, though, that you will find any references to other religions in the holy houses of other religions.

Answer 9

I am a Christian.... but this is what I believe.

1) the most peaceful, all inclusive religion
-----The one where they love trees
2) which religion gives real freedom to people
-----Christianity, if they would only see the REAL truth.
3) which religion is most tolerant of other faiths
-----One that doesnt believe in damnation
4) which religion will make the world a better place to live
-----Christianity is not about making earth a better place to live, so I would have to say Buddism (the one where you have to live a good life, so you can come back as something better)

Answer 10

This is only sanatan dharma of India.It exist from 6000 and more years with an effective power of peace,brotherhood and tolerance.
This is a religion of full freedom to decipals.
There are 33000000 deities are worshiped in sanatan dharma.
This was able to stand against many invaders..leter those also adapted this religon .