2007-03-20 15:52:48 · 33 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, I believe they are. At their core roots are the teachings of compassion and love. My religion, Hinduism, even teaches that all religions are merely different paths to the One (or different expressions of the same truth...as I've also heard gurus explained it). The Rig Veda says "There is one God, but humanity calls It by many names." (RV 1:164.46).
There is a neat story that I like that explains this rather nicely. There are five blind men who each leave their respective village and go for a walk on the forest. Each of them comes across an elephant walking. The first man reaches out and touches the trunk as the elephant passes by. The second man reaches out and touches the flapping ears of the elephant as it passes by. The third man reaches out and feels a tusk. The fourth man reaches out and touches the elephants tail. And the fifth man reaches out and feels the body. Each of these men go back to their village and tell the others about their experience. So which blind man had the true experience of the elephant? The point Hindus are trying to make is that the elephant is like God/Ultimate Truth/Ultimate Reality/Supreme Soul/Cosmic Consciousness/etc (whatever term you want to use) and we are like those blind men. All of us reach out and experience a different part of God. This is not only why there are so many different religions, but also why there are so many denominations, sects, and subsects within the various religions themselves. And if you take the time to read the writings of all the mystics from the various religious traditions you'll find see this oneness even more. Each of them described their experiences through the language of their religious tradition, but each of them kept with their practices and the ultimate experiences of each of them...the ultimate truth they discovered through the various practices they each did....are the same. In fact you can tell when reading the writings of the mystics that they are constantly upset that their own religious tradition does not have adequate words to fully articulate their experience and the truth they have discovered. Off the top of my head the first three mystics I can think of are St. Terese from Christianity, Rumi from Islam, and Ramakrishna from Hinduism....just to name a few.
Excellent question!
Peace be with you.
2007-03-20 20:14:21 · answer #1 · answered by gabriel_zachary 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All the major western religions are essentially the same ( at least in the post pagan period ( cool alliteration, huh)). They do differ signifigently from many of the eastern religions, however. Many eastern religons seek truth and enlightenment, while most of the western religions seek someone to watch over them.
2007-03-20 16:00:15 · answer #2 · answered by Zarathustra 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can't be Tony. They contradict each other in small and large ways. For example: Christianity says that Jesus died on the cross and rose again after 3 days. Islam says that God rescued Jesus, that he didn't die at all. It's the most unexamined myth that all religions are essentially the same.
2007-03-20 15:59:54 · answer #3 · answered by Daniel B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it matters how much interest you put into it. Somebody can find the ultimate truth inside of the titanic or the lord of the rings if they look hard enough. The world is full of mystery and facts, just waiting to be solved.
2007-03-20 15:59:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
All seeking truth...only one has found the correct path that leads to it.
Mat 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
2007-03-20 15:58:11 · answer #5 · answered by bonsai bobby 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All religions are essentially the same in one way: to have people believe in what that religion is teaching. Other than that, they're all pretty different from one another.
2007-03-20 15:55:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi. I think, in my opinion, that most religions are a search for answers, not a path. Every one has a Father (or Mother) figure upon which all responsibility lies. Whether Jesus, Mohammad (pbuh*), Sheba, Buddha, Ra, or other, they all share the hope that their's is true, omnipotent, just, and the one true. I have never seen any example of worship (or at least thanks) for the star which made the elements of which we are consist.
2007-03-20 16:01:06 · answer #7 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many paths to Jesus. Jesus is the Gate that leads to life. To get restored in relationship with Father God, is only through Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, who shed His Own Blood for the remission of our sins, & raised from the dead an everlasting body.
Jesus said, "I AM the Way, Truth & Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.".
2007-03-20 15:59:25 · answer #8 · answered by t a m i l 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They are essentially the same path to ignorance.
2007-03-20 15:57:14 · answer #9 · answered by God 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends. Everyone has a different view. Some people believe other religions are wrong or evil.
Most people believe their religion is the truth. So all in all it depends on who you ask.
^>^
2007-03-20 15:59:47 · answer #10 · answered by sllikylloh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋