Is there anything all religions have in common?

[Skwim]

I've listed five religions. I could list others. What six or more (i.e., "most") religions were you referring to?

To be honest, individually, I don't know what they are; however, I would think that within the 730 established religions in the world, (a figure that pops up quite frequently on a "religions of the world" Google search) most would retain the notion of exclusive authenticity. Among these possibilities would be the 17 major religions you didn't mention (those in red in the list below).

Major Religions Chart

1. Christianity 2.1 billion
2. Islam 1.3 billion
3. Secular/Irreligious/Agnostic/Atheist 1.1 billion
4. Hinduism 900 million
5. Chinese traditional religion 394 million
6. Buddhism 376 million (see also buddhism by country)
7. Primal indigenous 300 million
8. African traditional and diasporic 100 million
9. Sikhism 23 million
10. Juche 19 million
11. Spiritism 15 million
12. Judaism 14 million
13. Bahá’í Faith 7 million
14. Jainism 4.2 million
15. Shinto 4 million
16. Cao Dai 4 million
17. Zoroastrianism 2.6 million
18. Tenrikyo 2 million
19. Neopaganism 1 million
20. Unitarian Universalism 800,000
21. Rastafari movement 600,000
22. Scientology: 500 thousand
source 1 and source 2
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[paarsurrey]

Is there anything all religions have in common?

I would propose that ritual might be a characteristic common to all religions. But I'm no authority. What do you think? Are there common trait(s) to all religions? If so, what are those traits?

I think belief in one creator God is common in all revealed religions.

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

Many people have posted some pretty good ideas here, but most of them are wrong. The idea of some type of personal creator god, rituals, etc, are not generally found in Buddhism, particularly Zen. With that being said, there does seem to be one common thread that, as far as I am aware, is found in all religions, and that is, what is called in Christianity, the Golden Rule, or basically, practice kindness and compassion toward all things. Concern for other beings is paramount in most, if not all, religions.

 

[SageTree]

Probably find some good answers in this stuff: Perennial Philosophy and Huxley's book by the same name.

 

[illykitty]

Liberation, way of life, similar morals just worded differently, understanding greater purpose, attempt at making us better beings, etc.

I think there's quite a bit of similarities, and perhaps those are the most important points, rather than the differences.