Man has gone through cycles of knowledge rebirth but one thing that is well understood today is that all religions are like schools. Not schools for mathematics but schools about the spiritual world which is tightly intertwined with the physical world.
The purpose of a school which can be called the greatest then is to unlock the highest level of spiritual knowledge/awareness possible. One of the greatest assets of spirituality we have today is the Christian Bible which is a collection of spiritual texts that has helped birth many of the documents of cults as well as other religions. In Christianity, it’s regarded as a complete spiritual work through which all important spiritual knowledge is revealed for all men.
The pragmatic question thus would be to examine if there are any other religions/schools that unlock more or higher spiritual knowledge/awareness than the Bible. And this is a question of depth and height.
For a quick comparison let’s examine the views on some common virtues like humility, charity, patience, tolerance, righteousness and enlightenment/salvation across some popular religions like Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism.
Humility:
| Religion | View on Humility | | ----- | ----- | | Christianity | Humility involves acknowledging one's sinfulness and thriving by God's grace, as well as treating others with love, respect, and compassion, following the examples set by Jesus. | | Judaism | Humility is valued as part of righteous living, acknowledging one's place before God and others. | | Islam | Humility is central to submission to Allah, recognizing one's dependence on God's mercy and guidance. | | Hinduism | Humility is cultivated through the recognition of the divine within oneself and all beings, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and reverence. | | Buddhism | Humility is fostered through the recognition of impermanence and interconnectedness, leading to a sense of humility before the truth of existence. |
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Charity:
| Religion | View on Charity | | ----- | ----- | | Christianity | Charity is emphasised as a reflection of God's grace and love, demonstrated through selfless giving and service to others. | | Judaism | Charity, known as "Tzedakah," is a fundamental principle of Jewish ethics, emphasising giving to those in need. | | Islam | Charity, known as "Zakat," is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, emphasising the obligation to give to the less fortunate. | | Hinduism | Charity, or "Daan," is considered a duty and virtue, encouraging selfless giving and service to alleviate suffering and promote harmony. | | Buddhism | Charity, or "Dana," is a cornerstone of Buddhist practice, promoting generosity and selflessness as means to alleviate suffering and cultivate compassion. |
Patience:
| Religion | View on Patience | | ----- | ----- | | Christianity | Patience is encouraged as believers trust in God's timing and providence, modelled after the patience of Jesus Christ. | | Judaism | Patience is cultivated through the recognition of God's sovereignty and the endurance of trials as part of divine providence. | | Islam | Patience, or "Sabr," is highly valued as believers endure hardships with steadfastness, trusting in Allah's wisdom and mercy. | | Hinduism | Patience, or "Dhriti," is cultivated through spiritual practices and the acceptance of life's challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. | | Buddhism | Patience, or "Kshanti," is cultivated through mindfulness and the acceptance of life's ups and downs with equanimity and understanding. |
Tolerance:
| Religion | View on Tolerance | | ----- | ----- | | Christianity | Emphasises love and forgiveness towards all, including non-believers. | | Judaism | Advocates respect for others but historically has a more insular approach. | | Islam | Encourages tolerance towards Christians and Jews but labels unbelievers as ‘kafir’ (from ك-ف-ر \- to cover/conceal) suggesting intentional malice/ungratefulness | | Hinduism | Embraces diversity and tolerance through the concept of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family). | | Buddhism | Promotes tolerance and compassion through the teachings of non-harm and empathy for all sentient beings. |
Righteousness:
| Religion | View on Righteousness | | ----- | ----- | | Christianity | Righteousness is pursued through faith in Jesus Christ, who grants believers righteousness through grace, leading to a life of obedience to God's will. | | Judaism | Righteousness is sought through adherence to God's commandments, leading to a life of moral and ethical conduct. | | Islam | Righteousness is pursued through adherence to the teachings of Islam, seeking to fulfil one's duties and responsibilities as a servant of Allah. | | Hinduism | Righteousness, or "Dharma," is upheld through adherence to moral and ethical principles, striving for harmony and balance in all actions. | | Buddhism | Righteousness, or "Sila," is upheld through the observance of ethical precepts and the cultivation of virtuous qualities, leading to the cessation of suffering and the realisation of enlightenment. |
Forgiveness:
| Religion | Key Teachings on Forgiveness | | ----- | ----- | | Christianity | Forgiveness is granted through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who died to redeem humanity from sin. | | Judaism | Forgiveness is sought through sincere repentance (Teshuvah) and seeking reconciliation with those wronged. | | Islam | Forgiveness is granted by Allah to those who sincerely repent, seek His mercy, and strive to amend their ways. | | Hinduism | Forgiveness is seen as a virtue and is cultivated through the practice of compassion and selfless action. | | Buddhism | Forgiveness is a path to liberation from suffering, attained through the practice of loving-kindness and compassion. |
Salvation for Unbelievers:
| Religion | Concept for Non-Believers | | ----- | ----- | | Christianity | Salvation offered through faith in Jesus Christ; non-believers encouraged to accept Christ and his resurrection/triumph over death for redemption. | | Judaism | Emphasis on obedience to God's commandments; less focus on salvation for non-believers, but recognition of potential redemption. | | Islam | Salvation through submission to Allah and righteous deeds; non-believers face consequences but may find forgiveness upon repentance. | | Hinduism | Salvation (Moksha) attainable through various paths regardless of belief; emphasis on righteousness and spiritual liberation. | | Buddhism | Enlightenment (Nirvana) accessible to all through the Noble Eightfold Path; emphasis on the cessation of suffering and right action. |
Implications of practice:
| Religion | Meaning of Triumph/Salvation | Implications for Believers | Relationship with the World | Relationship with the Afterlife | | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | | Christianity | Salvation from sin and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. | Believers are redeemed and have eternal life with God. | Called to spread the Gospel and live in accordance with Christ's teachings. | Eternal communion with God in heaven. | | Judaism | Fulfilment of the covenant with God and collective redemption. | Believers participate in the covenant and uphold God's laws. | Called to live as a light unto the nations and practise Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). | Participation in the Messianic age and the world to come. | | Islam | Submission to Allah's will and attainment of paradise (Jannah). | Believers enter paradise and enjoy Allah's rewards. | Called to live in accordance with the teachings of Islam and spread the message of submission to Allah. | Reunion with loved ones and eternal bliss in paradise. | | Hinduism | Liberation from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara) (Moksha). | Believers attain union with the divine and freedom from suffering. | Called to fulfil their Dharma (righteous duty) and contribute to the harmony of the universe. | Unity with Brahman (divine reality) and release from Samsara. | | Buddhism | Cessation of suffering and attainment of enlightenment (Nirvana). | Believers achieve inner peace and liberation from attachment. | Called to follow the Noble Eightfold Path and alleviate suffering in the world. | Release from the cycle of rebirth and suffering (Samsara). |
Considering the virtues and making the world a better place, one can make the following observations:
1. All religions teach humility and contain several acts and teachings with regards to humility, however Buddhism teaches it in the deepest sense emphasising interconnectedness and the recognition of the divine within oneself and all beings, fostering a sense of unity and reverence. 2. All religions advocate for charity and selflessness. However, from a precept perspective, Islam has emphasis on Zakat and the duty of charity. From a discipleship perspective, Christianity contains the highest example/teaching through giving of oneself for others. 3. Patience: All religions indicate the importance of practising patience 4. Tolerance: Hinduism stands out the most in teaching the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” \- the world is one family (includes sentient beings). Christianity also emphasises a teaching of brotherhood/sisterhood for all under God as Father. 5. Forgiveness: All religions preach forgiveness through true repentance and forgiving others. Islam teaches prayers for repentance/forgiveness. Hinduism and Buddhism emphasise the importance of removing all negative karma (inherited consequences of sin) through forgiving others. In Christianity, love/charity forgives a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). The concept of receiving complete pardon through the Holy/Divine Spirit in Christianity is however foreign/unexplored to other religions. Christianity teaches forgiveness of sins not just directly from God but also through baptism and repentance of which any believer can confer to another implying redemption is available to everyone through any Christian if they’re willing.
In this regard it could be said that there is something to learn from each religion to unlock the best versions of ourselves.
Personally however, I have come to terms with the knowledge that for one who has not heard the ‘good news’ of Christianity especially as holistically taught in the Bible/Catholic faith. Buddhist philosophies (particularly the practice of zen meditation and appreciating the divine in all of nature) present a deep way to respect others and grow one’s spiritually while offering as much depth as some traditional/inherited religions. In terms of teachings about the spiritual world however, Christianity presents the highest spiritual concepts especially with regards to forgiveness/redemption, that are not present in any other religion; in addition to other developed spiritual concepts such as spiritual warfare, demonic possession and deliverance, as well as on the nature of God and the most precious gift of God \- the Holy/Divine Spirit available to all and enabling all to live in accordance with the divine laws.
Buddhism explains that breaking free of attachments, breaks the cycle of suffering. Christianity suggests however that you are destined to die once and cannot easily break free by yourself (Matthew 11:28). So rather than burden yourself with so many laws/spiritual precepts, one should acknowledge the sacrifice of Jesus which grants us the Holy Spirit (through acknowledgment/belief in Christ). In contrast, Buddishm teaches that nirvana can be attained through the 8th-fold path and the transcending of samsara eventually where we can find perfect peace, wisdom and divine connectedness. Yet, Stephen in the Bible could be seen as one who attained Nirvana in the sense that being filled with the Holy Spirit at the time of his persecution, he had only love to give even while being stoned by his enemies famously saying, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. Islam has similar teachings with Christianity but is strongly criticised in Christianity for its promotion of child sex with puberty as the only required condition (which can happen at as low as 8 years). On the flip side, Islam emphasises modesty a bit more than Christianity and strongly suggests that looking at the private parts (forbidden) of another lustful or not is sin/haram as well as prying on people’s private lives/seeking out their bad behaviour. From an afterlife perspective, there are some extra visual details in certain cases, e.g. the Angel of Death (Malak al-Mawt) is sent by Allah to every individual at the time of their death to extract their soul from their body marking the beginning of the journey of the soul through the stages of the afterlife, including the ‘questioning in the grave’. Christianity suggests lots of details but is not quite specific about the afterlife journey e.g. (for non-believers in Christ) your soul is instantly judged for the first heaven (hades/abraham’s bosom etc) where ‘saints of olds were freed’ from. And although Jesus went through hades/paradise, his resurrection story shows that neither was the final destination but rather the “Father’s House” of which he would directly ascend to.
It is important to note that Islam acknowledges through Hadiths that Jesus was taken up to Allah and Jesus will return (preceded by a Mahdi not Muhammed) as a righteous and just ruler who will also defeat the antichrist and establish peace and justice on Earth before the Day of Judgment and further recognizes that Muhamad will not be the only intercessor at judgement. It would therefore seem that there should be more Hadiths that talk about the important prophet Isa or perhaps that the true Muslim should inquire to know more.
With respect to overall spiritual growth therefore, one could absolutely say that as of today, Christianity best provides for a rich spiritual enlightenment while buddhism is helpful with knowledge and awareness of self. Just as it’s a vice to think that you’re better than another because of your school, it’s a vice to think you’re better than another because of your religion. The major thing that sets Christianity apart from any other school is that it’s directly/historically traced back to Christ who established a Church that will march on hell with the keys of heaven directly with Peter as the leader, in this regard, it’s a school that was directly endorsed by God as the truth. However, we need to remember and realise that with respect to education, school is never the goal or destination and so it is with religion. All religions teach us about God and the spiritual world but some religions contain more information that we innately agree with than others, hence the reason for providing the simple teachings virtue comparison earlier.
One of the reasons in fact why Jesus was regarded as a heretic by some was because he taught teachings and principles foreign to the Jewish religion and thus necessitated an entirely new school by his life/actions. The ‘ultimate truth’ therefore lies in the sincere pursuit of truth of which the Bible is one of the best/greatest references. Jesus would say that “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven”. In other words, knowing/studying the laws is not enough, we must produce good deeds/good fruits through abiding with grace/working with the divine within and that requires a sincere desire to be a better person.
Therefore, rather than construct walls and discriminate against students and schools, we must grow beyond the school and see one humanity and one world before us as clear as the blue sky. In seeing and appreciating the world and God’s love for it, we’ll be drawn to the truth of his highest teachings and my sincere belief is that this will lead one to the Holy Spirit and a perfect christianity that goes beyond knowing the Bible/church attendance. Through meditation and God’s grace we can learn to detach from our emotions, pride, and biases and create room in ourselves to hear the truth. And in all that keep in mind that sometimes even those that are self-taught or didn’t go to school can become the best of us.