Are We Really All that Different : What Other Religions Believe

Most of us read about or hear about other religions practiced in other countries, and the first thing that comes to our minds is the word 'heathen.' Well, I was guilty of that very same thought until about ten years ago when we moved to a 'University' town. After getting to know these individuals of different cultures and religions a little better, I realized that I needed to do some research on other religions and beliefs. Wow, did I get an education.

I felt rather small in stature after realizing that all in all most of the religions have a common thread or two. Here is what I discovered about the common threads in the following religions:

Hinduism worshipers believe in karma as being the accumulation of your good or bad deeds. Devotion to one's religion, doing acts of selflessness gets you very far.

The Jewish people believe in one God who watches over us all, and guides us through life. God punishes evil and rewards those that are good. Jews also believe in the goodness of humankind, and the fact that we are all creatures of God.

Zoroastrianism believers believe there is a spirit of evil and violence, and a spirit of goodness. They believe in the worship of the One God. They also promote social justice, and the fact that we all have a choice to make between good or evil.

The Shinto religion is mostly associated with nature. Those that follow the Shinto faith desire peace. To the Shinto, all human life is sacred. They believe in family and tradition, and love and respect nature.

Taoism is a religion about balancing the flow of energy within the body. People from this religion work to develop virtue, and seek compassion, moderation, and humility.

Islam believers follow the same kind of faith as the Jewish people. They all believe in the teachings of Abraham, David, Moses, and Jesus. However, they do not believe in the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross. They pray five times a day, and they work to abstain from alcohol, drugs, and gambling.

Those that practice Sikkism believe in one God, and pray many times a day. They also believe that everyone is equal under God.