This week you read the “Introduction” to God Is Not One by Stephen Prothero (the book that I used to use as a textbook for this course!) as well as “Unity of Religions” by Swami Sivananda, a Hindu yogi.
Initial post (Discussion)
Are The Religions of the World Essentially the Same or Different? Discussion Board – Discussion Group 1
From 2020SU-RELG-120-5396
In these readings they make very different claims concerning the relationship between the religions of the world. Prothero emphasizes that the major religions of the world are very different from each other, and that those differences matter. According to Prothero, therefore, we should learn about the specifics of each religious tradition so that we can be respectful of those differences.
Swami Sivananda, however, believes that when we do study the world religions in-depth, we will see that they are simply different paths to the same destination. Sivananda claims that while there are differences in the details and names they give to the ultimate reality – God, Jesus, Allah, Nirvana, etc. – they are the same in their essentials.
What underlies both of these arguments are two different beliefs as to how we should create religious tolerance in the world. Both Prothero and Sivananda want to see people of different (or no) religions respect each other and live peacefully together – they just have very different ideas about how that is possible!
For this discussion, I would like you to tell me:
1. Which argument do you agree with more? I know that we haven’t studied the religions in-depth yet, so you may change your mind by the end of the course! But do you think that you will find the religions of the world to be very different from each other, or do you think that they will be very similar?
2. If we also want people of different religions to respect each other and live peacefully together (I’m assuming we all want that in this world!) which do you think is more powerful to emphasize? The similarities between religions or the differences?
Your initial response must be at least 250 words and include two direct quotations from the readings (along with the page number). Your initial response is due Thursday, June 25 by midnight. You must also respond to at least two classmates by Saturday, June 27 by midnight (these responses must each be at least 100 words long).
Replies
To assume that all religions are the same creates more problems than it solves in my opinion. It can be a source of danger rather than a source of peace. The idea that all religions are the same indirectly leads to people forcing their religion upon other people. The idea behind the unity of religions makes many believers of different religions think that everyone else should share the same beliefs with them to accomplish the unity of religions. This argument that Prothero makes here is very convincing to me: “But the idea of religious unity is wishful thinking nonetheless, and it has not made the world a safer place. In fact, this naive theological groupthink – call is Godthink – has made the world more dangerous by blinding us to the clashes of religions that threaten us worldwide.” (Stephen Prothero, 3). The Israeli-Palestenian conflict, the Thirty Years’ War between Catholics and Protestants, the proxy-war between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the Sri Lankan Civil War were/are all influenced by religion, and there is a big possibility that if all religions were the same, those conflicts would not have occurred or be currently happening. Therefore, I believe it is much safer to emphasize and acknowledge that all religions are different. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that religious differences should not be viewed as an issue but as a beautiful thing that should be embraced.
Moreover, I personally disagree with Sivananda’s opinion about religions, “All religions have come from one source. There is no religion for God; but He has given us different types of people who are in different grades of intellectual, emotional, and spiritual evolution.” (Swami Sivananda, 23). I think that saying all religions have come from one source is an overgeneralization and many religious people would feel bothered by such a statement. Many religious believers would also be bothered by using a “He” pronoun for god. Some religions believe that God is a he, some religions believe that God is a she, some other religions believe that God is neither or there are multiple Gods, while other religions do not even believe in the existence of God. To conclude, I think it is safer, more peaceful, and more broad-minded to acknowledge that religions are different than to assume all religions are the same or even similar.
I would agree that we should look at the similarities shared by all religions in their own ways. If we come together and embrace the similarities that we all share with each other then differences tend to fade away! When we look at the stuff we are dealing with, we begin to respect and understand through vision.As Swami Sivananda said, “Religion is the expression of the universal impulse that none can withstand. Everyone thinks differently and yet towards the one supreme goal (pg. 27). That is, we all share similar goals in our religion, even if there are differences, there are similar goals. I also believe in this instance that there are variations in faith that the world has to recognize, they have to want to be learned. Stephen Prothero when he says “Both tolerance and respect are empty virtues until we actually know something about whomever it is we are supposed to be tolerating or respecting” (pg 5). If we want to hold faith on a one-way street as people with different religions, I feel like that holds us back from really knowing how alike we are in fact. That’s why we can’t sometimes see the similarities we share in order to tolerate and respect both. Also, I believe that all religions have the same goals as a community all strive to be better. I think all religions believe in a higher power. However, I also think each religion has different roads but the endgame is the same.
Solution preview for the order on are this week you read the “Introduction” to God Is Not One by Stephen Prothero (the book that I used to use as a textbook for this course!) as well as “Unity of Religions” by Swami Sivananda, a Hindu yogi.
APA
353 words