cavalier said:
I guess this is pretty basic stuff for many of you. I hope you'll excuse that, I'm really only beginning my spiritual journey.
...
The more I looked, the more I studied, the more I saw similarities between the different religions, the same truth expressed in a different way.
I wouldn't, at present, say I definitely believe it, but I can certainly see how the world's religions could simply be different expressions of the same ultimate truth.
Your thoughts, whether you agree or not, would be much appreciated.
Andy,
The question you are looking at is one that I started asked in my teens, and continued to ask throughout my twenties, but I would say that by 18 or 19 my answer was -
`Truth is One, paths are many.' 15 years later, I have added to my answer, but I know it rests on this foundation as
Rock Solid. And I think that this is an approach that many at CR either hold, or highly respect.
Seattlegal's reference to the thread on the `Golden Rule' is presumably meant to emphasize the
universality of this teaching or Ideal when it comes to religious and spiritual traditions. It is one among many,
many such teachings ... beginning with such ideas as the Respect for all Life based on inherent Dignity, Sanctity of both person and place, and moving toward more metaphysical ideas such as the nature & types of various energies both within the world (immanent) and transcendent.
While allowing for the differences, and accepting that practitioners of a given tradition have strong feelings about their own religious path, it is not difficult to see that are
more commonalities than there are discrepancies. For me, this has always been a source of great Joy, showing me that Inspiration is not something limited to
one people, at one place or at one specific time in our history (past) - but is available to
all people, everywhere, always (now)! 
Some religions treat various subjects with a keen focus on tradition, often involving much ritual & ceremonial. Others are equally structured, but focus less on outward observance and tend to internalize, or emphasize the subjective. This is much like the difference between people with
extroverted vs.
introverted personalities. My own observation is that the various religious differences reflect the socio-cultural, political, and geographical climate around the world, throughout the various periods of recent history - with an obvious
impulse (an ensouling energy, if you will) which cannot adequately be explained by these factors alone, and is attributable largely to the Founder(s) of the religion in question (plus contributors throughout the ages).
I think
your challenge - is to
continue asking the question, since you will find plenty of folks at CR who are thoroughly knowledgable both in their own tradition (many & diverse, fortunately!) ... as well in the area of comparative religion itself. Yet, as Eudaimonist indicates, and I would concur in this,
Ultimate Truth has not only not been "found" - it
cannot be found. I may be taking this farther than he intended ... but my own belief is along the lines of the Taoist statement (yes, found in
every religion!
) that:
The Tao that can be named, is not the Eternal Tao.
Part of the very Purpose and reason for our physical existence, imho, is
precisely the pursuit of this "ultimate truth" you mention -
both in terms of Goodness (
Arete, `personal excellence' - which Eudaimonist can certainly comment on) ... as well in terms of
Wisdom, or understanding. We might say that Goodness is the goal (which can be viewed in terms of groups, and the Whole, not just individuals), to be arrived at through the Wisdom - which we have gained through
knowledge. And the latter can come from direct experience, shared learning, or various forms of
Insight (spontaneous, epiphany, Inspiration, Illumination, Intuition).
I believe that comparative religion fits largely into the latter category (knowledge), but that its true value is revealed only when we apply Wisdom, and
use the tool that we have gained.
`Truth is One, paths are many,' as an aphorism, is a powerful tool indeed, just as is the Golden Rule - yet neither reveals its true worth unless it is
applied. But ask anyone who lives his life by either of these precepts if the sacrifice (or inconvenience) is worth it, and I think s/he or we would universally and unequivocally say -
Yes. The ultimate truth ...
is that that's not by coincidence.
Andrew (
taijasi)
