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When I think of major religions, I first think of the Christians, Jews, and Muslims who have been warring for 1000 years. I can't help it. I know that Hinduism and Taoism definitely constitute "major religions", but they aren't as prominent in America's news and culture, nor do they seem to be at the root of as many of the world's conflicts.

The sad irony is the horrible animosity that exists between these three religions, when they all have the prophet Abraham in common. They all have a 10 Commandments; they all have a "Thou shalt not murder*." (*or kill, depending on how you want to interpret it.) I wonder what percentage of "average" Muslims or Christians realize that Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are all connected by the same Abraham, who is called "Ibrahim" in the Koran. I wonder how many of those same "average people" realize that "Allah" is the Arab word for "God", and not just a name of some separate, "other" deity. How many Christians know that Jesus is considered a prophet in Islam? How much fighting could be stopped if these people all saw themselves as children of the same God? Almost all religions have some code of morality which forbid, at least, "unjust" violence, yet they are all killing each other. It's not even limited to fighting between members of different major religions, but also between sects within those religions. Protestants fight Catholics, Sunnis fight Shiites. It is clearly forbidden.

These human beings are separated by differences of opinion and interpretation, as well as by pride. Righteous pride that lets one group believe they are "right" to baptize by immersion in water, rather than by sprinkling with water, and vice-versa. This is petty bickering. People should unify against the real ills of the world, instead of squabbling over traditions. The Bible has been subjected to so much interpretation and translation, and it's possible that words could have been manipulated to favor the ruling classes. Judaism/Christianity/Islam all have blood on their hands; whether it is justified or not is yet to be judged. I think it would be difficult to judge which of these 3 religions (if any) is correct or "the right one", but within the holy books of Judaism, Christianity and Islam exists a framework for the peaceful existence of Earth's people, and I think that is the point.

Learn more about this author, Billy Sunshine.
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