When I was a boy in Tibet, I felt that my own Buddhist religion must be the best ”” and that other faiths were somehow inferior. Now I see how naïve I was, and how dangerous the extremes of religious intolerance can be today.
Though intolerance may be as old as religion itself, we still see vigorous signs of its virulence. In Europe, there are intense debates about newcomers wearing veils or wanting to erect minarets and episodes of violence against Muslim immigrants. Radical atheists issue blanket condemnations of those who hold to religious beliefs. In the Middle East, the flames of war are fanned by hatred of those who adhere to a different faith.
Such tensions are likely to increase as the world becomes more interconnected and cultures, peoples and religions become ever more entwined. The pressure this creates tests more than our tolerance ”” it demands that we promote peaceful coexistence and understanding across boundaries.
Granted, every religion has a sense of exclusivity as part of its core identity. Even so, I believe there is genuine potential for mutual understanding. While preserving faith toward one’s own tradition, one can respect, admire and appreciate other traditions.
HH the DL is quite correct in his analysis. Does any religion NOT preach compassion? What more can be said?
Roman pagan religion did not preach compassion.
D.L. is right there are many faiths, but Christianity is the only true faith, the others lead straight to Hell.
I posted this earlier today (I’m not sure why it isn’t appearing now) but the Truth isn’t a concept but rather a person. Jesus Christ is the Truth. There is no other way to the Heavenly Father but through Him.
Biblical Christianity does not preach compassion, but Christ and him crucified as its main and central mission. DL is not very enlightened.