Why argue over which religion is right when it is this simple!!

In this forum there are a lot of people who condemn other religions because they really don't understand them. I don't need to name any post cause you can find them all over the religion forum. Theses zealots don't realize that his is what the elite of the world want you to do and by being intolerant you further their agenda. As long as there is no tolerance they can keep people in control. So break free from there grasp using the Golden Rule. Here are a few examples of this rules universality:

HINDU: This is the sum of duty; do naught unto others which if done to thee would cause thee pain.
ZOROASTRIAN: That nature alone is good which refrains from doing unto another whatsoever is not good for itself.
TAOIST: Regard your neighbour's gain as your own gain, and your neighbour's loss as your own loss.
BUDDHIST: Hurt not others in ways that you would find hurtful.
CONFUCIAN: Do not unto others what you would not have them do unto you.
JAIN: In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self.
JEWISH: Whatever thou hatest thyself, that do not to another.
CHRISTIAN: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.
ISLAMIC: No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.
SIKH: As thou deemest thyself, so deem others.

theosophy.org...

Just follow this simple rule and you will inherit the Kingdom of God in all of it's glory

Do not follow the false prophets, Robocop Jesus is the one true lord and savior.

The problem is that those lines have been taken out of context in some cases, dude.

Sure the Jews say, "Whatever thou hatest thyself, that do not to another." and the Muslims say, "No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself", but the "another" and the "brother" they are referring to is a member of their own religion. Everyone else outside of that religion is fair game as you see when you read their scriptures.

The thing is, I do understand religions. Being a zealot has nothing to do with this case. You've merely taken bits from some of the scriptures and put them out of context. Take the Jewish line as an example. If you take the Bible and read it through, you can see that it actually reads "Whatever thou hatest thyself, that do not to another, unless God tells you it is OK for you to rob him, kill him and his family, and raze his city to the ground".

Sure, those lines look fine and dandy, sitting there on their own, but they are totally contradicted time and time again elsewhere in their own sources.

The conflicts between religions is caused by the fact that every one of them believes that they are the "Chosen of God". No matter what they might say in these politically-correct times, I guarantee that most people who subscribe to a major religion secretly think that they've got it right and everyone else is deluded. Show me where different religions have brought people together, where different religions have prevented wars and bloodshed and towering stupidity!

Actually, a lot of people don't "secretly" think they're the one's in the right - they start the same old tired threads right here on ATS over and over and over and over...

Rationality, secularism and an understanding that we are all fundamentally the same are more important than appeasing a vindictive deity or trying to live your life according to an arbitrary set of rules invented two thousand years ago and wrapped up in mysticism.

Scientists never start wars. Rationalists have never burned anyone at the stake. Atheists never disturbed your dinner by banging at your door asking if you've heard the Good News.

It always seems odd to me that the basic theological reason for a religion to exist is to help you to live well and decide what happens to you when you're dead. But of all of man's creations, religion is the one that makes life a hell for many and actually speeds up the process of death.

My sentiments exactly. I try not to worry about tyhe 'after death' mystery, and try to focus on the 'now'.

Live well, be well, respect those around you, and try to do the right thing.

How hard is it?

Not all major religions are about preparing for Death and Judgment. Take Buddhism for example especially at it's original simplicity before becoming so complicated like they all do after time. Siddhartha was trying to teach others how to ease the suffering of life, which he considered to be inherent within life itself regardless of status, wealth, etc. He also told people that the point was to find their enlightenment or freedom from Life's suffering using whatever method worked. The method itself wasn't the point, it was achievement of their Enlightenment that was most important.

That aspect I think is one of the ideals of most other religions that has been overlooked and/or ignored out of arrogance and the desire of superiority. Everyone is of the opinion that unless you're part of their group everything else you know or do makes no difference at all. As someone said already in this post, it's about tolerance and acceptance of different people as well as the way they live. It is most clearly seen within the various Judeo-Christian organizations who are in a constant battle with each other over who's method is the right one while they all condemn each other to Hell and Eternal Suffering even though there are only minor differences between their beliefs. It's just stupid.

There is a Tao saying that says, 'Taoism is like a finger pointing to the Way to the moon. Don't look at the finger or you'll miss all that heavenly glory.' The finger is NOT the moon, it's simply pointing The Way. If you concentrate on the finger(method) rather than the Moon(destination) then what you're going to get is exactly what you see in the world now. A bunch of idiots Pointing Fingers!! Every one of them Lost because they are fighting over who's finger is right, and worse condemning everyone else not realizing that everyone is gong to have their own individual Finger pointing their own Way. They spend all their time chasing their own fingers around like a dog after his own tail, never making it to the Moon, which IS the whole point!

Is that not the most pathetic thing you've ever heard?

all religions teach good things, its the people within thses religions which choose to corrupt the teachings that alter the meanings and take them out of context.