by Paul Schingle

Created on: April 07, 2011

It may seem a little odd, a devout atheist writing to this title.  As much as I don't believe in a separate entity, God, I am equally fascinated by religion.  I've written before on this subject matter, and stated more than once that the differences in religions (or, more accurately, the similarities over which religious zealots quibble) are almost proof that God is an illusion.  Devotees of a particular religion will say, "God is a Christian (or, Jew, or Muslim, or druid...) and we're the only ones who are right."  Of course, the silliness of this argument doesn't have to be pointed out.  Listening to this logic, one has to assume that God takes sides.  But, God is all loving, so, of course, that isn't true.  Religion is the primary reason I'm an atheist.

However, for those who practice a particular faith, I think it important to understand and be tolerant of other religions.  No matter who's right or wrong, we all have to share this planet in the here and now.  Religious tolerance is not only morally correct or "...the Christian thing to do..."  Religious tolerance is imperative as a matter of survival.  When people of differing faiths discuss things, they might be best advised to look at the similarities rather than the differences.  This is much more likely to produce tolerance and understanding.

As an example.  Where is the hotbed of unrest in the world?  In the recent past, and all of my life at least, the biggest threat to world peace is in the middle east.  Israel is constantly at battle (whether through arms or arguing) with the Muslim run nation-states surrounding it.  The Jews are sure they're right and the Muslims are just as self-righteous.  Both swear the others are blasphemers.  How can both be right?  Isn't it much more likely that neither are right?

But, what if we look at the similarities, rather than the differences?  Devout Muslim women won't shake hands.  Neither will women of the Hebrew faith if they are orthodox.  Neither of the two faiths believe that Jesus was the messiah.  Neither religion will eat pork.  Essentially, both keep kosher.  In the middle east, both have similar physical features.  The two religions are more similar than they are different.  If people would try to find these similarities, rather than outlining the differences, the world would be a happier place.

Learning tolerance and understanding of other religions is not only a nice thing to do, or the morally correct thing.  It may very well be imperative, in order for the human race to survive.

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