What is it about religions like Christianity, Islam and Judaism that seems to cause great conflicts like the one raging in the middle-east today? Is it opposing views or is it something deeper? I, being a christian have always wondered is it just some sects of Islam, Judaism and Christianity that spark these feuds, or is it something universal in all religions? Well today after hearing something my dad had to say, I realize that most religions (however impossible this may sound) share alot in common; don't kill people, don't steal, treat people how you want to be treated, et cetera. But how is it that, although most religions share these basic principles, that there is so much war and dischord today?
I've come to the conclusion that it is a few certain things that people from different religions disagree over; not things that a outsider might assume to cause strife (religion a says kill, religion b says don't kill). Instead, it is such things as Christians trying to convince others that Jesus died and rose from the dead, and Muslims trying to convince people that Allah is the sole, true god. As well, (taking Islam and Christianity as examples) Christians and Muslims disagree on other such things as the afterlife. But it really balls down to this; that if either religion turns out to be phony, then we're all screwed.
Sorry if I'm sounding a bit abstract and stupid right now, but I'm simply trying to say that almost all religions (Buddhism, Islam, Hindu, Christianity, Jain, etc.) agree on how one should live their life, following a basic set of moral rights. However, it is probably other things like who is really god and what happens after you die that cause war and strife betweens the worlds many nations.
One thing that my dad said really struck me; that it's best not to say "I am right, you are wrong. Christianity is right, Islam is wrong." It is probably this exact thinking that causes war and hate. I'm not preaching total tolerance; but neither am I preaching intolerance. I think extremes are stupid, and like my dad said, it's better to settle on a middle ground. If all peoples in this world decided not to steal, kill or rape, we'd all be living better lives, regardless of religion.
kamster
Monday, February 18, 2008
Hot is Cold and Cold is Cold
Posted by kamster on Monday, February 18, 2008
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1 comments:
Maybe the issue isn't as to what religion is "right" or "wrong," but what is really true in world that is all about pluralism and tolerance. Believing in absolute Truth doesn't mean you don't tolerate people with different beliefs; you reach out and share the Gospel because it is absolutely true and you do it out of love.
A parent can tolerate a teenager's belief in procrastination, for example, as the "best way to study," but knowing that that isn't true, cannot tolerate it indefinitely.
Yes, most religions agree on the same way to live, but if we truly believe and love Christ, everything we do needs to reflect Christ and His Person - not just a vague idea of what are good and bad morals. It's not an issue of absolutist belief, but a strong conviction of truth.
To me, Christ is King as the sky is blue; that is not something that can be changed or shaken. The way I live my life - in love for others - is a direct response to that belief.
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