What common features can be seen in the religious practices of people everywhere?

Question

I read this forum more than I participate in it and it seems to me that most of the religions are very similar, yet some seem to feel their religion is supeior to others in some way. The religions that seem to be most different from the others receive the most venom and accusations of cultism. Maybe it would help if people stopped now and then and examined what they have in common and the virtues of these commnalities rather than constantly berating one another. In short, Can't we all just get along?

Answer 1

It is not surprising that there are common features in most religions since most spring from a desire to fill a spiritual need and commune in some way with God. (Note Matthew 5:5) It is also true that many religions, Christian and otherwise, derived much of their teachings and customs from ancient Babylon.
I agree that despite differences, we should all make the effort to be peaceable. Romans 12:18 says If possible, as far as it depends upon YOU, be peaceable with all men. One need not compromise ones beliefs to be peaceable. Regrettably at times I have been guilty of taking the bait of those who obviously are only here to stir up contention. I have asked Jehovah to help me to be more discerning as to which questions I respond to and how I respond since I know that "...a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all, qualified to teach, keeping himself restrained under evil, instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed; as perhaps God may give them repentance leading to an accurate knowledge of truth, -2Timothy 2:24-25
I hope that, despite the bickering and accusations, you have been able to learn something worthwhile from reading this forum.

Answer 2

The world's major religions are fundamentaly different in every respect, e.g., conception of afterlife, prescription for worship, attributes of a deity(s), etc. Just one example, ask Christians why there is suffering in the world and they'll attribute it to original sin; ask Buddhists and they'll say it's about craving for that which we don't have. Due to the fundamental differences in religion we have people who do not get along, from Sunni vs. Shia in Iraq to Sinhalese Buddhists vs. Hindu Tamils, to Israeli Jews vs. Muslim Palestinians, etc.

The only commonality I see in all religions is the suspension of reason in favor of faith.

Answer 3

Be blessed !
I have been thinking the same as you 4 quite some time now.
There is very little difference that I made,if any.
An object viewed from a different perspective appears to be a different object.
Such is the problem with religions.
They are all the same,they just won't admit it !

Answer 4

I really only see one. There is a constant preoccupation with death. There is often an attempt to control the population, but there are exceptions to that.

Everything else I could find a major religion that has an exception. There is really nothing in common between say the Mayans, the Egyptians, Hindus and Christians except that. They all want to explain what happens when you die.

Answer 5

Devotion

Answer 6

I think the common thread is prayer and/or meditation.
I find it sad that people use this forum not to learn but to accuse or hate others when they still profess to believe. They claim to have religion but they are missing the faith.

Answer 7

I agree. It would be nice if people would notice more the similarities than the differences.

Answer 8

All love their God and their Sacred Book.
Don't want others to poke their nose in their belief
And all want to explain why they are the best.
But none want to listen Your view

Answer 9

One thing that they have in common is belief in something that isn't there.

All invisible people look the same.

Answer 10

Peace, humility, compassion, gentleness, kindness...Fruits of the Spirit.