World Religions: A Comparative Outline

Investigating the

CASE FOR PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE

Which in turn leads to knowledge, broadened awareness, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity inherent in the flower garden of the human spirit.

David Britton

Hello there!

Over the years of my life growth in the faith of God it continues to become ever more apparent the need for a comparative listing of the true founding faiths; those initiated by a founding Master such as Buddha, Christ, Moses, Zoroaster, Krishna etc. whose creative energy becomes an evolutionary force in the development of a civilized mankind.

I have tried to be non-biased in approach by using texts directly from Holy books and Scriptures or, at times, relied on authorities representing their respective faiths. It is only to obvious the impossibility of gleaning even a limited truth about one faith from the adherents of another.

Islamic clerics see Christians as infidels while Christian churches preach not only Islam as sinful but apply this approach to all other faiths as well. Jewish tradition does not recognize the Zoroastrian Faith nor do the Zoroastrians believe in Moses. Pakistan was created to provide an Islamic refuge from the hatred of the Hindustani Indians. Even among the sects within faiths themselves it is self evident the faith officials have led the followers away from the truths of fellowship, love and acceptance as taught by their holy master. Surely Christian and Moslem sectarian divisions and mistrust are prime examples.

Because of these deep long-term attachments to and inescapable results from the effect of various narrow politicized fear-based literal understandings of Revealed Scripture I have turned to the Baha’i Writings as a guide. Since fundamental principles of this Faith include the essential agreement of all true religions and the independent investigation of truth these Writings deal directly with the subject at hand.

The wisdom and guidance as extolled by Baha’u’llah, the Holy Master of this most recent Faith, was used as a primary guide in recognizing the true founders and as a tool for discerning the original faiths from the man-made sects and mythologies which inevitably appear later on to alter and cloud, as if by a veil, the illuminating Message of these great Masters.

As these Faiths are introduced certain common features such as life legends, the Calling by God, God’s calling to Mankind, sufferings endured, etc. are goals of this study. Because of antiquity not all these fundamental standards will be readily seen but when viewed all together the case for a core common source for these unified yet diverse faiths becomes compelling.

Baha’u’llah writes,”Consider the past. How many, both high and low, have, at all times, yearningly awaited the advent of the Manifestations of God in the sanctified persons of His chosen Ones. How often have they expected His coming, how frequently have they prayed that the breeze of divine mercy might blow, and the promised Beauty step forth from behind the veil of concealment, and be made manifest to all the world. And whensoever the portals of grace did open, and the clouds of divine bounty did rain upon mankind, and the light of the Unseen did shine above the horizon of celestial might, they all denied Him, and turned away from His face--the face of God Himself. Refer ye, to verify this truth, to that which hath been recorded in every sacred Book.

Ponder for a moment, and reflect upon that which hath been the cause of such denial on the part of those who have searched with such earnestness and longing. Their attack hath been more fierce than tongue or pen can describe. Not one single Manifestation of Holiness hath appeared but He was afflicted by the denials, the repudiation, and the vehement opposition of the people around Him.

Should you acquaint yourself with the indignities heaped upon the Prophets of God, and apprehend the true causes of the objections voiced by their oppressors, you will surely appreciate the significance of their position. Moreover, the more closely you observe the denials of those who have opposed the Manifestations of the divine attributes, the firmer will be your faith in the Cause of God.”

Baha’u’llah, after having suffered much at the hands of the Muslim clergy and a target of the charge of heresy, went on to write these poignant verses.

” We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; yet they deem Us a stirrer up of strife and sedition worthy of bondage and banishment.... That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled -- what harm is there in this?...

Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come.... Yet do We see your kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the destruction of the human race than on that which would conduce to the happiness of mankind.... These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family.... Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind....   (Baha'u'llah, The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah