Can all religions come together?

[Spirit of Light]

Would it be possible to unite all religions in to a discussion forum (physically place. not internet) to benefit the understanding of each others? Not to become one united religion, but to be able to respect each others?

Example what would it take for Christians to sit down with Muslims and discuss on a higher level then to argue against each others all the time?
Or for Buddhists to sit down with Jews to discuss?

Personally i think we can benefit from each others as human beings, not in the differences in the different religious beliefs

 

[Dawnofhope]

Would it be possible to unite all religions in to a discussion forum (physically place. not internet) to benefit the understanding of each others? Not to become one united religion, but to be able to respect each others?

Example what would it take for Christians to sit down with Muslims and discuss on a higher level then to argue against each others all the time?
Or for Buddhists to sit down with Jews to discuss?

Personally i think we can benefit from each others as human beings, not in the differences in the different religious beliefs

This is what happens for us at interfaith council meetings. Christians, Muslims, Buddhist, Hindus, Jews and Baha'is come together and consult to build better relationships between faith adherents and even those of no faith. Its not necessary at such meetings to consider our differences but rather look at what unites us. I'm a member of my cities interfaith council and that's exactly what we do.

 

[Spirit of Light]

This is what happens for us at interfaith council meetings. Christians, Muslims, Buddhist, Hindus, Jews and Baha'is come together and consult to build better relationships between faith adherents and even those of no faith. Its not necessary at such meetings to consider our differences but rather look at what unites us. I'm a member of my cities interfaith council and that's exactly what we do.

Do you find it to be more easy to understand other religious people after you join the counsil then it was before you join it?

 

[Jim]

Would it be possible to unite all religions in to a discussion forum (physically place. not internet) to benefit the understanding of each others? Not to become one united religion, but to be able to respect each others?

Example what would it take for Christians to sit down with Muslims and discuss on a higher level then to argue against each others all the time?
Or for Buddhists to sit down with Jews to discuss?

Personally i think we can benefit from each others as human beings, not in the differences in the different religious beliefs

As Adrian pointed out, that's already happening. Surely you knew that already? Beyond that, what kind of discussion were you hoping for here? I would like to see people discussing at a higher level right here in these forums. What I'm thinking of is people learning from each other, and getting encouragement and support from each other for whatever good they're trying to, across the widest ideological divides. "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." I've started a thread about that. I hope you'll read it and post in it.

 

[Spirit of Light]

As Adrian pointed out, that's already happening. Surely you knew that already? Beyond that, what kind of discussion were you hoping for here? I would like to see people discussing at a higher level right here in these forums. What I'm thinking of is people learning from each other, and getting encouragement and support from each other for whatever good they're trying to, across the widest ideological divides. "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." I've started a thread about that. I hope you'll read it and post in it.

Normally when i post here, i dont expect much Just going with the flow of the forum. But i see a lot of what can be described as negativity against some groups within religions, in the later times the Muslims are often looked at as something horrible, and in my own experience this is not so. I like people from all forms of religious paths, but when trying to discuss i feel often that nothing will help.
I am ok with people who do not belive in religions can say their opinion, that is their rights But in some cases it feels like peole want to ruin religions that has been there for thousands of years and still is a very big part of peoples lifes. And when trying to explain it is like deaf ears.

 

[Altfish]

There are interfaith groups in the Manchester (UK) area

Contact Greater Manchester Faith Community Leaders - The Inter Faith Network (IFN)

 

[Jim]

@Amanaki It's hard for me to imagine what it could be doing for you to start threads like this, or what good you think they might do for anyone else. Do you have any ideas about that? Maybe just to make people think?

 

[Spirit of Light]

@Amanaki It's hard for me to imagine what it could be doing for you to start threads like this, or what good you think they might do for anyone else. Do you have any ideas about that? Maybe just to make people think?

No i dont know. Actually i dont know why i started the thread in the first place

 

[Jim]

No i dont know. Actually i dont know why i started the thread in the first place

It might just be a way of complaining and protesting. Do you think it could be that?

 

[Terry Sampson]

It might just be a way of complaining and protesting. Do you think it could be that?

Nah, he strikes me as someone who believes cats can be herded, isn't quite sure how to go about it, and isn't ready yet to give up hope that it can be done..

 

[Jim]

No i dont know. Actually i dont know why i started the thread in the first place

Now I'm sorry that I questioned you about it. Some good friendly discussions happen in some of your threads, and there's no way to know in advance which ideas you have for discussion will turn out that way. Please continue!

 

[wizanda]

Would it be possible to unite all religions in to a discussion forum (physically place. not internet) to benefit the understanding of each others?

Originally wizanda.com looked like here, with multiple sections for each religious category, and people joined the site to take their side...

Also been on Paltalk and other religious forums 15 years, and seen this same structuring; most people come into rooms and sections to hear their side, else they come into argue it.

So the site became 'Oneness - True Faith', instead of 'Finding One True Faith' after being on here for awhile; as realized having separate religious labels is the problem in keeping people divided.

We're inside a giant cult of the Roman Empire, where the language now divides us; we see our cultural norms as being religious labels, even tho governments now issue new religious morality laws.

Thus after 15 years we need to recognize the word religion is an ancient system of understanding, and we have to develop a global understanding of physics, science, spirituality, religious values, psychology, mathematics, and create a new system, rather than fight the old.

Thus basically this is saying it is not possible to unite the religions as they are; the old religions need to evolve into a more comprehensive system of understanding, that makes it foolish to stay in the old system. - as people do not move until the grass is literally greener.

Not to become one united religion, but to be able to respect each others?

Having spent years trying to achieve this in person, it doesn't function as your hoping...

Like on Paltalk within the last few months, had a room called 'Fair Religious Dialogue' in the Human Rights section; where people generally take bias religious sides, and thus even the adminning is unfairly biased...

So trying to find fair admins to begin is a problem, as most people have some form of self interest in the subject, and until it is evolved into an understanding, they feel personally aggrieved, if someone says their current religious beliefs are wrong.

Generally someone can respect something, when they want to understand it; if they don't try, then they generally feel hate...

Since many people don't seek enlightenment, in other words continuously seeking learning, many actually choose the opposite.

Thus expecting two warring sides to meet in a place, cooperate, find balance, and come to a conclusion together is why religions are still divided.

Example what would it take for Christians to sit down with Muslims and discuss on a higher level then to argue against each others all the time?

For a Muslim and Christian to sit down constructively, they'd both need to recognize they're wrong to begin with, and that the Tanakh prophesied something much more advanced...

Basically remove the competition factor first, and then it would be far easier if they're reaching for something higher to begin with.

In my opinion.

 

[Brickjectivity]

...Example what would it take for Christians to sit down with Muslims and discuss on a higher level then to argue against each others all the time?...

First it requires patience and not expecting this to happen in our lifetimes. When we try to hurry things up it only causes problems.

Second most complicated problems only get worse as you focus on them. It is the nature of worry that causes this. Worrying is like sliding down a mountain that you are climbing. Instead of thinking creatively and positively we instead think fearfully and reactively, so we cannot see solutions when they appear. Sometimes this is called failing to see the forest because of the trees in our way.

Would it be possible to unite all religions in to a discussion forum (physically place. not internet) to benefit the understanding of each others? Not to become one united religion, but to be able to respect each others?

"...The mission of Religious Forums is to provide a civil, informative, respectful, and welcoming environment where people of diverse beliefs can discuss, compare, and debate..." From time to time we should assess what we are doing right, and we should look for examples of conversations that have worked well. Then we should find ways to make those conversations happen more easily without becoming impatient. I think we have a tiny amount of success with a lot of things that do not work. That may not change for a long time, but when we do find something that works then there could be a lot more success.

Have you seen any conversations or situations which you feel were particularly good? How can we duplicate those? Which conversations have not been good? How can we avoid more of them?

I think one weakness of discussion forums is they often thrive on conflict, but we try to use that to get people to converse. I wonder how we can do a better job of that?

 

[PruePhillip]

Would it be possible to unite all religions in to a discussion forum (physically place. not internet) to benefit the understanding of each others? Not to become one united religion, but to be able to respect each others?

Example what would it take for Christians to sit down with Muslims and discuss on a higher level then to argue against each others all the time?
Or for Buddhists to sit down with Jews to discuss?

Personally i think we can benefit from each others as human beings, not in the differences in the different religious beliefs

Depends what you mean by Christianity.
I know little about Islam but Christianity as TAUGHT AND LIVED BY JESUS
does not accommodate other religious views - even beliefs mildly different
from what the Apostles taught and lived were not acceptable to them.
Same goes for Islam I suggest.
Also, don't forget Scientology and Mormonism.

You might as well ask can all political views come together.
Unless you distort those views, the answer is No.

 

[Dawnofhope]

No i dont know. Actually i dont know why i started the thread in the first place

Its good to have a Buddhist in the house and I appreciate you are extending beyond your comfort zone. You seem like a decent human being and RF is a better place with you here.

 

[Shantanu]

Its good to have a Buddhist in the house and I appreciate you are extending beyond your comfort zone. You seem like a decent human being and RF is a better place with you here.

I would second that because in the final analysis there is no difference in what a person can attain through Buddhism or can attain through Advaita vision. Do you have any advaitins in your city's counsel that could address the issues of interfaith rivalries?

 

[Vinayaka]

I think there is a lot of truth to the idea that if you want to get along with somebody, never discuss religion or politics. Imagine that ... getting along with somebody, or by extension, everybody.

Still, I think we're all better off to know something about our neighbours, our acquaintances, as we're all on this planet together. But religion isn't the only thing out there to learn about. In that sense, short presentations at interfaith groups are educational.

If there is to be successful discussion or comparison, I think it's important that all participants enter politely, and drop their ego, and 'my way is the best' thoughts at the door. That's when conflicts start, by people not being able to see outside their own subconscious.

 

[Shantanu]

I think there is a lot of truth to the idea that if you want to get along with somebody, never discuss religion or politics. Imagine that ... getting along with somebody, or by extension, everybody.

Still, I think we're all better off to know something about our neighbours, our acquaintances, as we're all on this planet together. But religion isn't the only thing out there to learn about. In that sense, short presentations at interfaith groups are educational.

If there is to be successful discussion or comparison, I think it's important that all participants enter politely, and drop their ego, and 'my way is the best' thoughts at the door. That's when conflicts start, by people not being able to see outside their own subconscious.

These Bahai groups are living out their religion and proselytizing here on the basis that their world view would appear to be morally right: after all not many would disagree with the morality of there being unity in diversity: I may be one of the few who can disagree and it would be on the grounds that we are all individuals living according to our consciences. There is no socialism on that basis between religions. Socialism is a political concept which many disagree with anyway. So it is even more difficult to reconcile religious beliefs and principles.

 

[shunyadragon]

This is what happens for us at interfaith council meetings. Christians, Muslims, Buddhist, Hindus, Jews and Baha'is come together and consult to build better relationships between faith adherents and even those of no faith. Its not necessary at such meetings to consider our differences but rather look at what unites us. I'm a member of my cities interfaith council and that's exactly what we do.

I am more familiar with interfaith council meeting having the purpose of interfaith cooperation to meet community needs for the less fortunate not meet by other sources.

I consider this dialogue does exist on the interfaith group level, but it is rare. Most of my experience is one on one with individuals in an interfaith dialogue, Most prefer some distance as on the internet for such discussions.

 

[Dawnofhope]

I would second that because in the final analysis there is no difference in what a person can attain through Buddhism or can attain through Advaita vision. Do you have any advaitins in your city's counsel that could address the issues of interfaith rivalries?

We work together for common aims and avoid controversial comparisons between theologies. Its important people feel welcome and affirmed that's its OK to follow their religion or not have any religion.

The Tamil society is trying to establish a temple for more mainstream Hindus that don't identify as Hare Krishnas and Sai Baba. Some of us are helping them with that project. The Buddhist groups are Tibetan and Thai.