1 - The Plurarity of Religion

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When I was in high school, we have this subject where Catholics and non-Catholics has to attend separate class. The subject is called Religious Education (REED). Maybe it is really necessary for the school to do this. People with the same beliefs are grouped together so as not to make offenses to each other. Things like that cannot be avoided. There will always be a time where beliefs clash with each other. Doesn't it make you wonder why there are several religions when in fact, each one of them teach the same thing about having one God?

As I was searching about this topic, I came across a review by Burl Barer about the book called "Beyond the Clash of Religions: The Emergence of a New Paradigm" written by Dr. Udo Schaefer. Barer pretty much quoted a lot of important parts in the book. In the review, he mentioned how Dr. Schaefer described religion as a  plurality and a 'colorful variety' which always irritate a lot of people. He, Dr. Schaefer, also analyzed the old paradigm wherein each religion traditionally claims "uniqueness, finality and exclusivity". These claims led to the intolerance of each religion to each other as they claim their own absolute truth. Evidences of this can be found throughout the history. According to Wikipedia, among 1763 documented wars, 7% of it have been classified to be involved in religious conflicts.

To be honest, I, myself, am not a fan of religion. I agree with what Dr. Schaefer states in his book. Religion has been one of the reasons why a lot of people go against each other. Some religions have doctrines that contradict another religion. If every religion claims finality or superiority to another, then the differences in their doctrines and teachings will be the main roots of their conflicts. That is where intolerance or 'fanaticism', as Dr. Schaefer calls it, become the problem. These differences in beliefs make followers a certain religion turn against each other. What if a leader of a certain religion says, "Everyone that belongs and a member of us are the only one that will be saved and go to heaven."? For sure, that'll cause the followers say to others, who does not belong in their religion, that they will go hell and never be save. It'll probably hurt and disrespect others beliefs and faith. Thus, this is where the hatred to each other begins.

Writes Dr. Schaefer: "Religions are in many ways similar, and yet they are so different; there is much which unites them, but also much which divides them. This is indeed irritating. All the world religions teach that there is only one ultimate reality, which we call God. If that is so, there can logically only be one truth: But if there is only one truth, why are there so many religions?"

Different Symbols of Different Religions

Another thing Dr. Shaefer points out is why there's a lot of religion when all of them teach 'only one ultimate reality, which we call God'. I believe that it is us, the humans, who created this diversed religions. That it those who are responsible are the ones who divides us. Why is it necessary? Obviously, we all know that there was a time where religion, such as the Roman Catholic, held the same power as the government. This happened in the Philippines. The Spaniards introduce us to Christianity and later on, they used this to gain control over the Filipinos. At that time, government officials always listened to what the church says. That's just one evidence how much power religion used to hold

In the present, there is a blurry line between religion and mind control. We're not sure if what is being taught to us is purely the truth. So much has changed ever since a lot religion showed up. Even the Bible which is the basis of Christian teachings might have been twisted for all we know. There's even a news about a man claiming to be a messenger of God. He used this as a cover to diguise his motives of robbing the people with their money. That is why I encourage everyone of you to filter everything because if you didn't you'll just become a mere puppet.