Is there any "belief system" that intergrates teachings from all Religions?

[MJ Bailey]

One of my biggest questions in life has always been, is there any kind of Religion or belief system that seeks similarities and differences between faiths? Would this not be the best way to configure a truth? After not only talking to people of different Religions to me it is at times simplistic to see the how there are extreme diversities as well as extreme likenesses, therefore would it not be logical to integrate all of them to make a substantial decision?

 

[Rival]

You sound like you're looking for some sort of syncretism. There isn't a recognised religion per se that does this, but you can create your own belief system.

 

[Twilight Hue]

One of my biggest questions in life has always been, is there any kind of Religion or belief system that seeks similarities and differences between faiths? Would this not be the best way to configure a truth? After not only talking to people of different Religions to me it is at times simplistic to see the how there are extreme diversities as well as extreme likenesses, therefore would it not be logical to integrate all of them to make a substantial decision?

There's a number of them that say they do.

I think a vast number people would recommend religions like Unitarian Universalism.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

One of my biggest questions in life has always been, is there any kind of Religion or belief system that seeks similarities and differences between faiths? Would this not be the best way to configure a truth? After not only talking to people of different Religions to me it is at times simplistic to see the how there are extreme diversities as well as extreme likenesses, therefore would it not be logical to integrate all of them to make a substantial decision?

Since there are incompatibilities between religions, “integrating” all religions would mean throwing many aspects of those religions away.

 

[sandy whitelinger]

One of my biggest questions in life has always been, is there any kind of Religion or belief system that seeks similarities and differences between faiths? Would this not be the best way to configure a truth? After not only talking to people of different Religions to me it is at times simplistic to see the how there are extreme diversities as well as extreme likenesses, therefore would it not be logical to integrate all of them to make a substantial decision?

Perhaps Taoism.

 

[metis]

Spiritualism may, depending on how one defines it.

 

[Phantasman]

Bahai seems to be such a religion. Considering religions are "doctrines of men" (Biblical) Christ taught against them. So I follow none. Matthew 15:9, Mark 7:7. Colossians 2:22.

 

[MJ Bailey]

Thank you for your replies, I will do my best to seek your advice; and 9-10ths_Penguin, I very much realize that many aspects would have to be left out of the total scenario, but what I am trying to say is that beliefs or disbeliefs can usually connect one Religion or faith together. Isn't that what it is mostly about? I have studies in Criminal Law and Justice Technology in which you need to define and seek tangible relevance in order to solve the "mystery". I guess I just apply this mentality to Religions as well.

 

[MJ Bailey]

Bahai is one of the Religions in which I believed to do this as well. What I do not understand according to their doctrine is why Jesus of Nazareth is left out of the scenario. In the Quran it specifically written that Mary and Jesus where in fact back by Muhammad and his followers. This is why I have such difficulties understanding at times.

 

[LuisDantas]

Thank you for your replies, I will do my best to seek your advice; and 9-10ths_Penguin, I very much realize that many aspects would have to be left out of the total scenario, but what I am trying to say is that beliefs or disbeliefs can usually connect one Religion or faith together. Isn't that what it is mostly about? I have studies in Criminal Law and Justice Technology in which you need to define and seek tangible relevance in order to solve the "mystery". I guess I just apply this mentality to Religions as well.

That really can't be done without a judgement call at some point. What should be considered a religion? What should be emphasized, kept, ignored or corrected in each?

A fair and perhaps necessary effort, but not one that can be easily fulfilled in a way that everyone will accept.

There are several disputing views on the matter, and I fear that not all can be reconciled.

Personally, I ended up accepting that there are definitely such things as misguided religions, and even social diseases that are widely accepted as religions. Not a pleasant conclusion to reach, but IMO a necessary one. The duty to accept that responsibility is very real.

Some popular takes on the core tenets of several religions that might serve as common ground include, out of the top of my head:

- The Golden Rule and its consequences. Unitarian Universalism comes to mind.
- Common claims of origin and objects of worship (e.g., claims of worship of the same God). By this criterium, you should learn about the Bahai Faith and the Ahmadiyya Islaam.
- Claims of successorship and inheritance. That is a very questionable claim for various reasons, but nevertheless a common one.

That said, it seems to me that any reasonably developed practice will realize that we all should learn from others, including other traditions, when the opportunity presents itself and the teaching is sufficiently sound.

 

[Lyndon]

Bahais believe in Jesus

 

[robocop (actually)]

One of my biggest questions in life has always been, is there any kind of Religion or belief system that seeks similarities and differences between faiths? Would this not be the best way to configure a truth? After not only talking to people of different Religions to me it is at times simplistic to see the how there are extreme diversities as well as extreme likenesses, therefore would it not be logical to integrate all of them to make a substantial decision?

Raelism definitely unites the good religions. A quote from Rael is that "When everyone has their own religion, then we will all have the true religion."

 

[danieldemol]

Bahai is one of the Religions in which I believed to do this as well. What I do not understand according to their doctrine is why Jesus of Nazareth is left out of the scenario. In the Quran it specifically written that Mary and Jesus where in fact back by Muhammad and his followers. This is why I have such difficulties understanding at times.

Dear MJ,
Jesus is definitely part of the Baha'i faith. Shoghi Effendi the Guardian of our faith states;

'As to the position of Christianity, let it be stated without any hesitation or equivocation that its divine origin is unconditionally acknowledged, that the Sonship and Divinity of Jesus Christ are fearlessly asserted, that the divine inspiration of the Gospel is fully recognized, that the reality of the mystery of the Immaculacy of the Virgin Mary is confessed, and the primacy of Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, is upheld and defended. The Founder of the Christian Faith is designated by Bahá’u’lláh as the “Spirit of God,” is proclaimed as the One Who “appeared out of the breath of the Holy Ghost,” and is even extolled as the “Essence of the Spirit.” His mother is described as “that veiled and immortal, that most beauteous, countenance,” and the station of her Son eulogized as a “station which hath been exalted above the imaginings of all that dwell on earth,” whilst Peter is recognized as one whom God has caused “the mysteries of wisdom and of utterance to flow out of his mouth.” “Know thou,” Bahá’u’lláh has moreover testified, “that when the Son of Man yielded up His breath to God, the whole creation wept with a great weeping. By sacrificing Himself, however, a fresh capacity was infused into all created things. Its evidences, as witnessed in all the peoples of the earth, are now manifest before thee. The deepest wisdom which the sages have uttered, the profoundest learning which any mind hath unfolded, the arts which the ablest hands have produced, the influence exerted by the most potent of rulers, are but manifestations of the quickening power released by His transcendent, His all-pervasive and resplendent Spirit. We testify that when He came into the world, He shed the splendor of His glory upon all created things. Through Him the leper recovered from the leprosy of perversity and ignorance. Through Him the unchaste and wayward were healed. Through His power, born of Almighty God, the eyes of the blind were opened and the soul of the sinner sanctified…. He it is Who purified the world. Blessed is the man who, with a face beaming with light, hath turned towards Him.”'

All the above are in reference to His holiness Jesus of Nazareth.
Kind regards,
Dan

 

[MJ Bailey]

Lyndon, I have the utmost understanding of GOD as being omnipotent, therefore having no gender in which needs to be pertained to. It is clearly stated in Scripture that Jesus Christ of Nazareth was born male due to the Egyptian worship of the sun, thus I do not incorporate a "sexuality" or "gender" to the most powerful force in existence. danieldemol, thankyou for this information and that is why I have always leaned more toward the Bahai' belief system. One of my greatest conundrums is though as Lyndon stated as the gender aspect. Jesus Christ of Nazareth was without a doubt a male and of Lord GOD Father; but does that mean that every other relevant helpful aspect of has to be male as well. Catholics believe that Angels are only male, do they not? Is not gender the very first prejudice to be humanities true "demon"?

 

[Vinayaka]

One of my biggest questions in life has always been, is there any kind of Religion or belief system that seeks similarities and differences between faiths? Would this not be the best way to configure a truth? After not only talking to people of different Religions to me it is at times simplistic to see the how there are extreme diversities as well as extreme likenesses, therefore would it not be logical to integrate all of them to make a substantial decision?

Various versions of Universalism or universalist leaning faiths do exactly that.

 

[MJ Bailey]

I guess the point I am trying to reach is this; if you put down on paper the beliefs and disbeliefs of every Religion kind of like connecting dots would they all not in one way or anther have a more clarified interception? BTW I have read Universalism more than once on this thread and will subject myself to further understanding. And once again I am very grateful for everyone who took their time to read my question and time to reply

 

[danieldemol]

Lyndon, I have the utmost understanding of GOD as being omnipotent, therefore having no gender in which needs to be pertained to. It is clearly stated in Scripture that Jesus Christ of Nazareth was born male due to the Egyptian worship of the sun, thus I do not incorporate a "sexuality" or "gender" to the most powerful force in existence. danieldemol, thankyou for this information and that is why I have always leaned more toward the Bahai' belief system. One of my greatest conundrums is though as Lyndon stated as the gender aspect. Jesus Christ of Nazareth was without a doubt a male and of Lord GOD Father; but does that mean that every other relevant helpful aspect of has to be male as well. Catholics believe that Angels are only male, do they not? Is not gender the very first prejudice to be humanities true "demon"?

Thanks for your questions MJ,
In the Baha’i Faith angels can be male or female.
Yes Gender prejudice must be overcome.

 

[LuisDantas]

I guess the point I am trying to reach is this; if you put down on paper the beliefs and disbeliefs of every Religion kind of like connecting dots would they all not in one way or another have a more clarified interception?

Sure. And that is very much a good idea, although beliefs and disbeliefs are probably not the best concepts to guide that effort. Odds are that we would find a few surprises about the fluidity of some doctrine's boundaries and the inner contradictions of some.

In all likelihood there would be a lot of useful findings about the nature and possibilities of syncretisms as well.

I just don't think that we could go very far before realizing that there are several divergent conceptions of religion running around. Divergent to the point of mutual exclusion, and even to mutual obfuscation: some doctrines seem to literally hinder the ability to understand some others. As an example, there are creeds that seem to be tied to a nationality at least as much as to a religious doctrine - Shinto and some Orthodox churches come to mind.

 

[Native]

The word "religion" means generally "mutually connected" i.e. a system where humans live accordingly to the creation and to the basic laws of survival in the nature and society.

IMO this fits more or less to several world religions but fits especially to the most ancient religious system, namely Shamanism, which is based on natures rhythms and all its beings.

Links:
"Religio" - Religio - Wikipedia
Shamanism - Shamanism - Wikipedia
Shamanistic Symbols - Ancient Science. The Ancient and native Way of Knowledge

 

[Frater Sisyphus]

Depends exactly what you're looking for, this exists all over the place to different ends;

Baha'i has already been mentioned....

There's the Perennial Philosophy (which I'm personally really interested in at the moment, and it connects to many of my own hypothosis, as an esoteric person)
There's Theosophy (which is more Buddhist/Hindu-centric but still very diverse)
There's Thelema (which I've identified with theologically for quite a while now)
There's the all too famous Unitarian Universalism

The nature of Syncreticism however, points me more towards the more shamanic idea of following your own path in a sense, as informed by the things (Religions) that strongly resonate with you