Essence
of Religions & Beliefs
Who
is God?
God is the Universal Spirit, infinite, and
unchangeable in wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. S/he is predictable, unpredictable, and
mysterious. People are the crown of
God’s jewels in the Universe. So it’s
for us to protect, and care for all living, and non-living entities on Mother
Earth.
Where
is God?
God appears to be in and outside of nature. S/he’s
in the trillions of the heavenly constellations and galaxies e.g., the sun,
moon, and stars. S/he’s spirit and what people see on planet earth e.g., of the
landscape, oceans, rivers, and streams. Its clear God speaks via the creation
of all living and non-living beings e.g., humans, animals, insects, trees,
plants, vines, and structures of different dimensions. But S/he’s also possibly
outside of nature. Theologians, philosophers, and scientists have failed to
determine where exactly, is this ubiquitous nature. No words could fully
describe where God really is. Intuitively, people are able to speculate where
S/he could be, by looking at the manifestations of this vast Universe. But this
exercise is still inadequate.
What
Is Religion?
Religion
means different things to believers.
To some it may be a church, temple, or mosque, but to
others it may be any group worshiping their God or gods in unique ways.
This
is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated
philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is
kindness.
Dalai Lama (b. 1935), the current Dalai Lama
How
do believers view their religion?
Believers generally have definite objectives which
they think their religion offers.
Whether they know it as a baptismal rite, belief in a Savior or Saviors,
and salvation of their souls – from sect to sect, these beliefs may vary
considerably.
Whether
you call it Buddhism or another religion, self-discipline, that's important.
Self-discipline with awareness of consequences.
Dalai Lama (b. 1935), the current Dalai Lama
I
have an everyday religion that works for me. Love yourself first, and
everything else falls into line.
Lucille Ball (1911–1989), an actress and comedian
It
is my goal to love everyone. I hate no one. Regardless of their race, religion,
their proclivities, the desire of their heart and how they want to live their
life and the decisions that they make. I can even respect people's decisions
and lifestyle choices just as I hope they have the courtesy to respect my
decisions and my choices.
Kirk Cameron (b. 1970), an actor
I
love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your
church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit.
Khalil Gibran (1883–1931), a Lebanese-American
writer
Just
as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.
Buddha (563 or 480 BC–483 or 400 BC), an Indian
religious leader
We
must seek the loving-kindness of God in all the breadth and open-air of common
life.
George A. Smith (1817–1875), a leader of the Latter
Day Saint movement
What
are some beliefs of religions?
Teachings vary among religions. Beliefs refer to attitudes towards
mythological, supernatural, and/or spiritual emphases. But regardless how believers
regard these, there lie at their religions’ heart some universal truths.
I
like the religion that teaches liberty, equality and fraternity.
B. R. Ambedkar (1891–1956), an Indian jurist
Human
rights is a universal standard. It is a component of every religion and every
civilization.
Shirin Ebadi (b. 1947), an Iranian lawyer
To
be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without
breathing.
Martin Luther (1483–1546), a seminal figure in the
Protestant Reformation
Rivers,
ponds, lakes and streams - they all have different names, but they all contain water.
Just as religions do - they all contain truths.
Muhammad Ali (1942–2016), a professional boxer
The
truth is that killing innocent people is always wrong - and no argument or
excuse, no matter how deeply believed, can ever make it right. No religion on
earth condones the killing of innocent people; no faith tradition tolerates the
random killing of our brothers and sisters on this earth.
Feisal Abdul Rauf (b. 1948), an Egyptian American
Sufi imam
All
religions and all communities have the same rights, and it is my responsibility
to ensure their complete and total protection. My government will not tolerate
or accept any discrimination based on caste, creed and religion.
Narendra Modi (b. 1950), a Prime Minister of India
What
part does music play in religions?
All religions have some sort of music. This ranges from being secular to the
sacred. By chanting, and singing with the
accompaniment of instruments believers participate in praising their God or
gods.
Music
is one of the most powerful things the world has to offer. No matter what race
or religion or nationality or sexual orientation or gender that you are, it has
the power to unite us.
Lady Gaga (b. 1986), a singer
Can
a religion change beliefs?
Throughout the ages there have been wars fanned by
religious beliefs. In contemporary times
there were atrocities spurned by intolerance - like the case of present-day Sri
Lanka with 7% Christian. Yet religions
teach people to love, and live in harmony.
Religious
wars are not caused by the fact that there is more than one religion, but by
the spirit of intolerance... the spread of which can only be regarded as the
total eclipse of human reason.
Montesquieu (1689–1755), a French political
philosopher
In
the long term we can hope that religion will change the nature of man and
reduce conflict. But history is not encouraging in this respect. The bloodiest
wars in history have been religious wars.
Richard M. Nixon (1913–1994), a president of the
United States
Religion
is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the
soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.
Karl Marx (1818–1883), a German philosopher
Why
do unknown questions arise with religions?
Some passages in sacred texts contradict each
other. At times statements about natural
phenomena are not scientifically supported.
Often mythical stories are used to explain spiritual events, and
questions arise. These leave religious
leaders and their followers unsure of the meanings of these passages. Theologians, scientists, and philosophers
interpret these religious doctrines by giving diverse explanations, but problems
with their interpretations remain.
God
is a metaphor for that which transcends all levels of intellectual thought.
It’s as simple as that.
Joseph Campbell (1904–1987), a professor of
literature
Science
can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science
from idolatry and false absolutes.
Pope John Paul II (1920–2005), a head of the
Catholic Church
If
one has the answer to all the questions - that is the proof that God is not
with him. It means that he is a false prophet using religion for himself. The
great leaders of the people of God, like Moses, have always left room for
doubt. You must leave room for the Lord, not for our certainties; we must be
humble.
Pope Francis (b. 1936), a head of the Catholic
Church