Similarities Among the Major Religions
Q: What are the most common, compatible, major beliefs between the 5 major religions of the world---interested also in the mysticism of the 5 major religions as they relate to each other.
R: A hugely broad question that might lead to myriads of responses (and debate about the no 5 mentioned!)! However, for this context, here are three pointers:
Prof John Hick sent this response to the question: ‘The universal common factor is belief in the Transcendent. This is differently conceived within the different traditions, but these different conceptions are all forms of belief in the Transcendent. And this common factor is recognised by the religions most clearly in their mystical streams.’
From the biography of Bhagwan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri by Swami Muktananda Paramahansa (SYDA Foundation, New York, 1996) comes this: ‘The essence of faith is to believe that the unseen is as real as the seen. Faith is the root of all dharmas, all religions.’
Understanding Our Similarities Through Religious Belief is a potentially interesting web site for young people at https://media.iearn.org/node/162
