RELIGIONS: Have a common bond

It seems very disappointing that this day in the United States that there is such a lack of religious tolerance; lack of openness for our fellow humans and their respective faiths. While most founders of the U.S. Constitution were of Christian faith, the United States is not a Christian nation (First Amendment). Our Exceptionalism stems from our freedoms and the rule of law.

I was raised a very conservative Christian — baptized in a tub on the church alter, no movies on Sunday, no dancing etc., etc. This was bothersome to me as a youth. Upon reaching adulthood, I studied other faiths Judaism, Kabala and several Eastern religions. It became clear to me that if the foundation of one’s faith is based on granite nothing will destroy the faith. If the faith is based on sandstone any disturbance will destroy the faith.

In my studies I found a remarkable truth that all the religions, be it Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism or Hinduism, have a common bond in the Nature of Existence and basic guiding principles. That bond is teaching love and the principles taught are a way of life that guarantees integrity, joy, peace, perfection and the existence of a soul and a Superior Being. This is the basis for Natural Law — the foundation of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Buddha was born a Hindu. Jesus the Christ was a Jew. Christianity worships God, Jesus The Christ and the Trinity, which to some is confusing. In Hinduism there is Brahman, the Godhead, is the Absolute Supreme Divine Presence; and then there is Brahma, the creator and Brahmin, the human priest. In Taoism there is the Tao Te Ching, interpreted as The Way and Its Power. Buddhism has Nirvana.

For me if God is omnipotent, omniscient, all powerful than this entity must be subjective and all encompassing — that leaves no one out!? This is where Christianity leaves me wondering — how can such an entity, God, have a “favored people?”

There is a saying in Hinduism that is paraphrased, There are many paths to the one summit on top of the mountain!

Lets open our arms and accept all loving, law abiding, honest people for what they are. We all have a common spiritual existence on this planet Earth. Lets face it, we are all exactly where we spiritually need to be.

JACK H. NOMANSON

Hayden