The Goal in Common

People proselytize unto the masses on a perpetual basis.

Opinions on morality vary between sects and religions.

Some preach that eating beef is a sin, some believe that shellfish is unclean, some believe that those who neglect praying multiple times a day are destined for uncomfortable treatment in the afterlife. About those things all faiths disagree in part--offering a variety of acceptable behaviors unto adherents of those individual belief systems.

So focusing upon those things about which they disagree will only lead you down conflicting paths where you'll forever remain unsure which religion has it right. Thus instead of getting fixated upon the differences innate unto faiths of the world--concentrate about what they have in common.

All religions at the core preach ceaseless refinement and perfection of the self. All belief systems in existence revolve around the innate idea of becoming the best person you can be.

That essential goal they all hold in common. They only disagree about the proper path towards reaching that summit.

Taoists and Buddhists generally preach self-refinement through meditation. Catholicism and other western faiths essentially believe in spiritual evolution through adherence unto moral codes designed towards abstention from sin.

But essentially all those systems break down into a few common objectives:

(1) Refrain from evil
(2) Perform only good
(3) Prioritize cultivating and refining yourself spiritually instead of getting caught up in worries over material possessions
(4) Perfect the self at all costs

Looking at world religions through that lens--distilling them all down unto those essential tenets--it becomes a far more simple matter to navigate that morass of conflicting faiths. Because then you see regardless the church you join or the denomination unto which you belong, the essential goal remains the same:

Self-perfection is the aim--thus that alone should be your objective. And it should remain your essential mission regardless the official religion you practice or the specific methodology you employ towards reaching that goal.

Focusing on the differences between religions leads nowhere, because within this realm it becomes impossible for anyone to know with absolute certainty which tenets are truth and which are misstatements. But focusing on those overarching commonalities are immensely productive, because then you at least have a consensus opinion on what truly matters.

Thus ignore squabbles over which religion is best. Disregard discussions about differences between faiths.

Concentrate on the commonalities and you'll inevitably see:

The real goal of religion is perfecting the self.

Thus work unfailingly towards that goal, and you'll never go wrong.

The real goal of religion is perfecting the self. 

I disagree. IMO perfection is more of a consequence than an goal.

A consequence of living up to others goals.

Liive honestly.

Do no harm.

Be generous, charitable and compassionate.

Be polite, humble, respectful, nonjudgmental.

Be thankful, and praise God.


These are for me the main goals of religion.

Its the:

(4) Perfect the self at all costs 

I take issue with

(1) Refrain from evil (2) Perform only good (3) Prioritize cultivating and refining yourself spiritually instead of getting caught up in worries over material possessions (4) Perfect the self at all costs

a reply to: Trachel
Realization is the key, once your realize you know what you are. You know you are not evil, good actions are natural,your focus is spiritual because you realize you are. You know the self as perfect so there are no costs.

a reply to: Trachel

But essentially all those systems break down into a few common objectives:

(1) Refrain from evil
(2) Perform only good
(3) Prioritize cultivating and refining yourself spiritually instead of getting caught up in worries over material possessions
(4) Perfect the self at all costs

Concentrate on the commonalities and you'll inevitably see:

The real goal of religion is perfecting the self.

What you spoke about reminded me of this:

"For this,
Thou shalt not commit adultery,
Thou shalt not kill,
Thou shalt not steal,
Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Thou shalt not covet;
and if there be any other commandment,
it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour:
therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

" - Romans 13:9-10

I think problems happen when people try to complicate morality instead of keeping it simple.