Religous and Atheists gather around a question for both?

Question

Religous people- what is more important to look at the differences between religions or similarities? What religion do you practice?

Atheist people- what is more important the differences in culture or the similarities? why?

Answer 1

We _should_ look more at the similarities but I'm afraid we're wired to look at the differences.

Answer 2

I am an atheist but i'm gonna answer both

The differences are more important. That is what defines the culture, what makes it unique. However we need to embrace the differences of other cultures and celebrate them. As long as the culture is harmless ( so "culture" like burqa's and human sacrifice are excluded) then we should celebrate the differences
Culture doesn't have a "right" way so all cultures are equally worthy

In religion however the similarities are more important. This is because when people believe a religion they believe they are correct. Period. This breeds war and hate over trivial differences. If people recognized that all religions have the same fundemental values then we would all be better

Answer 3

What the Un-pope said.
If religious peoples took a good long look at the similarities between alot of religions, both current and past, they would see the truth. The truth is that Jesus' life story is exactly the same and was stolen from older religions who's main charactors are Horus (For Egypt), or Mithra (from an even older civilization). In each case the "Jesus" figure is representative of the sun and it's yearly movements through the twelve months (12 disciples). At the winter equinox, the sun is at it's lowest place in the sky and hovers there for three days before making it's way back up (the death and resurrection story common to all afore mentioned figures). There are plenty more similarities, but to those with blinders on, it probably makes no difference.

Answer 4

I am a Christian going to a non-denominational church. I believe that all true religion has the same basis of Good better than evil. However, the main difference that people always argue about is the path to Paradise or Heaven. So many different ways, even among the Christian religions. But the only true way according to what I believe is thru the blood of Jesus and accepting Him as your Savior. Thanks for the question and have a great day!

Answer 5

I am a Catholic.

In the 1960s "Vatican II" occurred in the Catholic Church. Since that time the Catholic Church has taught that we should see the good in our "separated brethren." We should look for the similarities (and even adopt those that may help us live as Jesus taught)

Remember all of mankind are the children of God.

Unfortunately, while we look at the similarities we find difficulty with the details. Maybe we can reconcile someday as is the hope of the Cathoilc Church

Answer 6

I believe we should look at both because they both affect our beliefs however im not sure if it is a good idea for me to answer this question seeing as how im not religious. I am non-denominational and come to think of it we do tend to measure the similarities of other beliefs. In other words were open minded about other denominations beliefs.We are willing to accept that some things the baptist,evangelicals,methodists etc.. are correct and we stick to the bible. Anyways now im just rambling so ill go now.

Answer 7

Similarities.

Answer 8

Look real hard at the similarities and the differences there you will find that they only exist from our own existence. They dont really exist at all, so we are the origin; we are the common thread. That is more important than any similarity or difference.

I practice my own "religion" and I am an atheist.

Answer 9

E Pluribus Unum is a worthy goal. Out of many - one. The more we focus on similarities the closer we can become, whether it's religion or other aspects of our cultures.

Ultimately there are too many issues which will require cooperation and which are exacerbated by competition, much less conflict. As Ben Franklin said "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."

Answer 10

Well, it's important to know about both.

We need to realize that we're all human, regardless of our culture, and that we have a LOT in common because of that.

It's also important to understand some of the ways cultures vary so we're less prone to misinterpreting each other, and to cultivate a broader view of what it means to be human.

Answer 11

To understand something more completely it is important to know both the similarities and the differences.