Can't we all just get along?

Question

I understand that everyone has their own spiritual beliefs. Why does everyone insist that their way is the only way? Can't you just accept the fact that one person believes one way and another believes something else? What gives anyone the right to say that someone else's beliefs are wrong because it is not the same that they believe?

This is in response to those who posted about believing that people have the right to kill.

I am not talking about going against the laws of your country or your morals.

I am trying to discuss a person's personal beliefs and why some people can't seem to get past what a person's religion is.

Answer 1

No one has the right to say their way is the only way. That is what causes wars. Unfortunately many are unable to see any way other than their own and I can't see that changing in the near future.

Answer 2

In answer to the initial question, yes - we SHOULD all get along.

In response to the rest, it seems to me that people believe what they believe because they believe it is right.

MOST religious belief systems are non-exclusive, and can accept that you can be of a different religion and still be ok.

HOWEVER, there are several religious systems, the monotheistic belief systems in particular, that believe that their religion holds the key to Truth, and therefore the others must be NOT of the Truth, so they try to persuade others to join them in seeking the Truth.

As a Jew, I believe that God spoke to my people ages ago and that Moses led my people out of slavery in Egypt after he had an encounter with God in the burning bush.

Having become a Christian in my mid 20's, I do not exclude what I was taught as a child, but I now believe that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, ie the Son of God. If that is true, then when Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. NO man comes to the Father but by Me", and again when He gave us the "great commission", to "Go into all the world, and make disciples from EVERY nation ...", then this obligates me (if I am going to be true to Jesus) to tell people when ever and where ever I can.

This makes me look somewhat narrow minded, but if I'm not true to my own belief system, then how could I ever respect anybody else?

Yes, I DO respect other people in their belief systems - I think they are wrong - based on what Jesus said - but that doesn't preclude me from respecting them, but at the same time, I will reason with others to try to show them the truth of Jesus Christ, because if (IF) what He said was true, then He is the rope we need to cling to in order to be saved from the pits of hell, to rescue us from sin and its eternal consequences, and if I do NOT at least make an attempt to warn people, then what kind of monster would that make me if they DO end up in hell, and point their finger at me for not warning them?

It puts me in a dilemma, that's for sure, but I try to be respectful when I share with them both the BAD news first, of their situation - sin, death, hell, you know, and then the GOOD news of what Jesus did to rescue them from that bad news.

Answer 3

FINALLY, I've found someone who thinks the very same thing as me. I was raised to be a Christian, but nowadays, I'm non-religious. I see no point in believing in any religion if it only causes so much trouble, violence & hatred. As you said, why can't people in the world just accept that not everyone believes in the same thing? Their behaviour is almost the same as choosing to hate some people just because they have darker skin than them (e.g, racists). I try to live each & every day of my life full of love, acceptance, understanding, compassion & friendship. I want to be friends with everyone from every race, every background, every religion & every colour of skin. That's why I've chosen to be non-religious as I do not believe that religion should stand in the way of friendship & compassion. Now, I may get a few thumbs down for this, but I don't care. It's my right to express my thoughts as much as anybody else's.

Sometimes, when I'm walking up the High Street, I can't stand it when I see this particular man (lost a few screws in his old age) walking up & down the street, shouting & preaching about Jesus Christ & God, etc. Not all people in UK are Christian, so I think it's very rude & inconsiderate to go about shoving it in people's faces. One day, just for a laugh, as I passed the same man shouting about God, I was close to him & shouted out, "hail Satan," LOL! Now, I was NOT serious! It was only for a laugh. He couldn't hear me anyway because he was shouting too loud. Another day, I shouted, "hail Buddha," LOL!

Anyway, yes, you are absolutely right. I shall repeat what I said before. Religion should NOT stand in the way of friendship & compassion.

Answer 4

yes we can but it would take some courage. the only way is that we should think about the commonalities amongst us and follow them. the differences we can discuss later. but first we would have to know what is common amongst all major religions. ( by the way here i am only talking about people who believe in God)
for example. if we say that we have to choose one book which is from God. then the Christian would say that the bible is form God. the Hindu would say his books like Bhagwat Geeta and Vedas and puranas etc are from God and the Muslims would say the Quran is from God. now lets try and find the common things in these books and follow them. this is the way we can come to a common platform. like Quran says there is only one God. the bible says it and the Vedas and puranas say it. so we should accept and follow this fact that there is only one God and we should worship him alone. similarly we can talk about other common things.

Answer 5

I think most people aren't really sure of their own beliefs and therefore get affirmation by questioning other people's beliefs. Kinda like the person with low self esteem that has to put down other people in order to make themselves feel better.

We can't control what other people say; all we can do is control how we react.

Answer 6

What if those beliefs include murder of innoncent men, women and children. Whippings for females who are caught going to school and the murder of those trying to teach them?
What if those beliefs teach that if anyone does not believe the same way, they are to be eliminated.
Are these the type of people you want to get along with.
There are about 11 million of these people in the world as we speak.
I say don't try to get along with them, rather try to get along without them by whatever means necessary.

Answer 7

Its a game. Try it its fun.

Sorry that's mean...the best way to explain the issue is...If you have a room with 50 people that coexist and love in peace, great!
Now add 1 person that has a mean spirit. Soon you will have discontent and confusion, throughout the entire group.

How many mean spirited people are there on your "room"?

Answer 8

it is the right of everyone to stand for what they believe. Its up to you if your going to accept their beliefs.

For you to know their beliefs is true, why don't you pray and ask the God if this is true.

Answer 9

Yes, emphatically yes, we can just get along!
It is not the 'spirituall belief' that divides..spirituality is too personal and it really unifies.

Answer 10

I would love it if we all did that, but unfortunately there are people in this world who think their deity gives them permission to kill people, and to try and take over my secular government that I love. In that context, it behooves us to question that belief.