Comparative Religion

Comparative Religion Essay:

By: Rev Hope Macdonald-Vellone'

Over the weeks of reading and studying the different religions we have in our society, this is what I have concluded about all faiths, religions and spiritually.

In the different religions I have read about, not only in this course, but outside of it as well. I have notice a semi-similar pattern in most of them. Regardless what religion one is, or what path one decides to follow, be it Pagan, Buddhist, Christian or other, I have found a number of contradictions in different faiths. I don't feel the need to point them out, what I would like to point out is the compromise I feel came out of it all.

In each religion or faith one chooses, there are sayings, mantras, or words to live by. In each one of these, they're striving for a better way of life, a better way to treat ones brother, neighbor and friend. The classic “treat people the way you wish them to treat you.”

In some religions, we have gone from one extreme to another. Example being; an eye for an eye, to turning the other cheek. We have seen other religions fast to find a higher enlightenment to meditating and finding it from within. What I have notice has happened over the years is that we are no longer going from one extreme to another, rather we are finding our middle ground. Most faiths have come to a compromise one might say. We remember the days of old and respect them. And in that time came change, as we have blended a new view on our different beliefs.

In the old days, some people would have to hide who and what they were, where as today, it's more open. And though there are faiths that may look down upon whatever belief one might be, there is no longer the fear of being killed for who and what you are. How far we have come in this world to have that kind of openness now. No more killing for being Jewish, Buddhist, Pagan, Christian, or whatever one may be. There is no doubt that this world still has a long way to go for accepting whole-heartedly other people. Yet it's inevitable.

In any case, the most important thing that we all can live by regardless of our faiths is these few words, and see how similar they are to one another.

The Wiccan Reed: "An ye harm none, do what ye will."

Buddhism: Hurt not others in the way you find hurtful."

Islam: "Not one of you is a believer unless he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself."

Native American: "All things are our relatives; what we do to everything, we do to ourselves. All is really one."

Judaism: "What is hurtful to yourself do not to your fellow man."

Christian: "Therefore all things whatsoever you desire that men should do to you, do even so unto them."

Confucianism: "Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself."

If ever in these days and times that we could find more of a middle ground in respect to other people regarding their faith, lifestyle or whatever beliefs they may have, it would make this world that much more of a better place. We have these wonderful cultures and wonderful different faiths around this world of ours, that if we opened our minds more to see that though we may have different names for the different deities, it all coincides with one another. What one calls God, others may call Allah, the Goddess, Mother Earth and so on. The story of "The Great Flood" is told in many different cultures with different names of the Ark, the people who built it and sailed upon it to repopulate the earth. It all coincides with different faiths.

In my humble opinion, if we could accept other people for whom and what they are, treat them and respect them the way we wish to be treated and respected, this truly would be a wonderful world. We have people who tried to set examples for us, Gandhi, the Buddha's and Jesus himself to name a few.

I have believed that the different religions and faiths coincide in many ways; this course had confirmed that belief for me in a number of ways. To learn even more about the different religions I had not had a chance to study until this course, it has not only enlightened me with the ideals of their beliefs, but I have even more respect for them as well as my own. I felt it was very well put together, very insightful and I could tell that Rev. Kythera Ann has invested a lot of time into her research and it shows. I do plan on seeing what other courses she has available with ULC.

If there were anything I could change on or about this course, it would be to maybe offer the weekly course printed up and sent via the postal mail as a back-up purpose to those who encounter computer or printer problems. It may defeat the purpose of it being an online course, but I would be more them willing to pay extra for something like that if it were offered. I truly enjoyed this course and feel I have learned a lot from it. Thank you for the opportunity to take it.

Sincerely,

Rev. Hope Macdonald- Vellone'

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