Everyone should implement religious teachings into
his or her life so as to live more harmoniously and providing a safer
tomorrow.
Would this world be better without religion? Would society be better without religious groups or leaders trying to force their teachings? Many may not be aware this, but all the main religions in this world have the same basic teachings and principle! For example, love, compassion,
education and forgiveness, are all basic principles of all major
religions! Every one of the main religions teach mankind to be live in
unity!
Would you agree that every religion teaches people to live harmoniously? According to the Baha’I Faith, the fastest growing
religion after Christianity, “According to the direct and sacred command
of God we are forbidden to utter slander, are commanded to show forth
peace and amity, are exhorted to rectitude of conduct, straightforwardness
and harmony with all the kindreds and peoples of the world.” (‘Abdu’l-
Baha, The Will and Testament, p. 7). Wouldn’t this world be a better if the people were to follow the teachings of the religions? All the religions of the world preach the importance of peace, love and unity. A just world
can be accomplished if everyone practice peace, love and unity.
Why practice religion? What are the benefits that come to those that
practice religion? Who practices religion? These are all common
questions among mankind. There are basic principles that will benefit
mankind as a whole. The oneness of world of humanity can be realized
with the practice of love amongst mankind. Religion can help bring unity
among mankind with the realization that there is only one God. Equality
between men and women. The abolition of all forms of prejudice can also be gained over a period of time.
Universal peace can definitely be achieved. Economic problems can also be overcome with following the basic principles of religions. This is the purpose of religion. Religion was created so as to provide an ever advancing civilization. Religion was created to stop dissention and strife in homes, schools and communities at large. Mankind needs to understand that by embracing one another, will surely bring about a well developed and progressive world.
The statistics below prove that there are many believers in the world.
Every person would like to have a better future. Eradicating hatred of
any kind definitely promises a brighter world. Below is the approximate
estimate of the number of followers of the main religions of the world.
1.Christianity: 2.1 billion
2.Islam: 1.5 billion
3.Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion
4.Hinduism: 900 million
5.Chinese traditional religion: 394 million
6.Buddhism: 376 million
7.Primal-indigenous: 300 million
8.African Traditional & Diasporic: 100 million
9.Sikhism: 23 million
10.Juche: 19 million
11.Spiritism: 15 million
12.Judaism: 14 million
13.Baha’i: 7 million
14.Jainism: 4.2 million
15.Shinto: 4 million
16.Cao Dai: 4 million
17.Zoroastrianism: 2.6 million
18.Tenrikyo: 2 million
19.Neo-Paganism: 1 million
20.Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand
21.Rastafarianism: 600 thousand
22.Scientology: 500 thousand
Religion is very popular among mankind. Even though most religions have millions of followers, as shown in the estimated statistics and pie chart, the world is still faced with many serious problems. Are the followers practicing the essence of religion?” Below is a pie chart, taken from WWW.Adherents.com, used to show how popular religion is in the hearts of people today. People do want a better world and are turning to religion as guidance. Even though some may realize how important religion is, by not practicing the teaching is not practicing the religion. One needs to apply the teachings of the religions into his or her every day activities. People need to smile at one another, help others more in times of need and learn to be more charitable. These are the fruits of every religion. Praying and fasting does not necessarily means the followers are adhering to the principles of the religion. One needs to practice what the
scriptures teach.
Being more forgiving and kind in one’s daily life can lead to a more rewarding. Many people are consumed by hate and cannot see beyond that. Filling one’s life with love and forgiveness can help a person become more productive and are better able to face challenges in life. A person consumed with love can only make positive decisions which will in turn create a more rewarding career and family life. Unity can certainly be achieved in this world if the citizens of this world can think on a wider scale. People need to recognize that all mankind are created equal. There are no differences among human being. Every human being have the same needs and desires. Every one wants to be loved and respected. Citizens of other countries are also equal and should be considered equal. The people of other countries are friends not enemies and should be treated as such. Baha’u’llah, the most recent manifestation of God points out, in Gleanings,(1874), “The belief in the unity of all human beings is the pivot of the Baha’i Faith. Baha’u’llah said, let your vison be world-embracing, rather than confined to your own selves.”
The first teacher of love is family. Living harmoniously is very crucial in a family. Teaching love within family members is like teaching love at the grass root level. This will allow for love to stay in all the members of the family throughout each one of their lives. Family members have the opportunity to correct each other when mistakes are made. Every member of the family must learn to overlook the faults of others so as to create love. By portraying love among one another encourages family members to live lovingly. When a member of the family builds his or her family, he or she will practice love in that family as well. Each member of the family have an important role to play.
Communities and villages are also a great teacher of love. By living lovingly in communities is also very critical. Presently, in society, neighbors don’t know each other. Neighbors can be very happy living joyously together if people take some time to get to know each other. Neighbors can learn to respect each other. Neighbors can learn to ignore a of a person’s cultural or racial background, and live harmoniously. By living in this manner teaches the children of that community to also ignore these unimportant difference.
A loving community can instill unity and love, which are primary teachings of every religion, into it’s members. Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Bahai Faith announced that the importance of unity, (1874) ”Religion is not for separating mankind, but rather to unite everyone. This will allow for a world that is moral and fair.” A member of such a community, if move to live in another community, can teach that community to also live harmoniously among themselves. Every member of a community have a role to play in this big picture. Living with love and fellowship in peoples heart certainly provide for a better world in the future. Happiness among families can be achieved through unity. The picture below shows that happiness and love exists in families. Wouldn’t this world be a much better place with the practice of love? Love and first taught in each home as early as from birth.



Why is weapons of mass destruction ever manufactured? This is essentially used to bring about destructiveness in the world. Everyone can clearly see that there has to be another alternative to bringing about peace in the world. Weapons of mass destruction need to stop being manufactured.
How can one human hurt another human being? It is a sin to hurt or kill another person. This visual shows the effect that war have on the children that are affected. If we are to have love and fellowship in our hearts, war needs to stop. How many kids have to suffer from the after-effects of war? So many kids today are homeless due to political war worldwide. The effects of war on children and all families are tremendous. Families could lose loved ones and are never able to overcome or deal with such a big loss. Children can be affected by war in a number of ways. They may lose close or extended family member, become displaced, become wounded, witness or be the victim of violent acts, become separated from family members, and lack adequate nutrition and medical care.” (Lina Kurdahi, 1996)



The citizens of the world needs to have a world embracing vision. Everyone needs to be treated equally. No one deserves to be ill-treated. If someone is treated with hate that is what will most likely be reciprocated. If love is given, then love will be returned. Despite of one’s background, racial or otherwise, holds no bearing when there is love. Even if one makes an error or unknowingly hurt someone, that person can be easily forgiven if the other person carries love in his or her heart.
What determines that one religion is better than the other? There is no determining factor on which religion may be better than another. How can one religion be better than the other when all religions stem from the same source?
Religious leaders are busy trying to prove that one religion should be ridiculed. One can engage oneself in this when harmony is absent. Even the learned and knowledgeable are trying to prove one religion is better than the other. All religions practice the same teachings! Every religion stress the importance of love. Every religion encourages fellowship. When compared, all religions lead to the pathway to a more fruitful life. Life’s goal should be to live in peace and harmony. It does not benefit anyone to create dissention and strife.
A person practicing religion does not constitute to worshipping a diety. Religion for many is a way of life for many. A person needs to only thing pure thoughts and engage in loving acts for society to be a better place. By thinking and engaging in charitable causes is one way that one may be practicing what all the religions have preached. By one living his or her life with pure actions is surely a great example to others. This can only encourage good deeds by all.
“Religion has been shown to contribute to reduced involvement in unhealthy behaviors: alcohol abuse, smoking, drug abuse, unsafe sex, suicide attempts, violence prone behavior, and an unhealthy diet . ( Journal of Religion & Health: 2004). Studies have shown the great impact of practicing religion on members studies. People that are churchgoers, for example, are more unlikely to adapt unhealthy habitual behaviors. People that portray a more spiritual way of life also display a more sound mental health.
Even an Atheist, doing selfless acts of love will reap amazing results. That person will have a more fruitful life. A person that treats everyone with love is an asset to society. According to Doy Moyer, (2008) in Religion and Faith , it is emphasized that religion is not necessarily linked to God, but could also be the way a person think. “However, “religion” is not confined only to those who believe in a transcendent deity”.
Everyone will respect and love that person that lives well with others. If society as a whole were to treat each other this way, what an impact that will have!
Practicing love and fellowship will only promote and create a path to a brighter future. The children of today can have a better world to live in tomorrow. Given all the situations used, one can agree that all religion carry the same message. What a beautiful world this world can be if everyone can live in love and fellowship! Wouldn’t this world be worth living in when love surrounds each and every one?
Would society as a whole not be a better place for everyone if honesty, purity of motive, service to others and trustworthiness were practice everyday? Is there any harm in these deeds? Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith reiterates how great is unity. “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” Bahá’u’lláh.
In conclusion, it has been the aim of this paper to articulate and reiterate that religious teachings play a very important role the transformation of every human being in this world. Personal and global transformation is at it’s peak now as more and more people become more aware of the importance of basic principles such as patience with one another, love of one another and complete compassion with one another. (Slew Slim Chin, 2006) “Transformation is about such recognition of connection with one another, a connection of hearts and respect of the sacredness of hearts and respect of the sacredness of each heart. Echoing Eriko, we are all human beings, and we belong to the world.” Following the teachings of religions give a person a sense of satisfaction, knowing that he or she has contributed to a much brighter future.


Reference:

1. Retrieved August 17, 2008
‘Abdu’l-Baha, The Will and Testament, p. 7)
2. Major Religions of the World Ranked by Adherents. Retrieved July 21, 2008 from http://adherents.com
3. Gleanings , 1874. Retrieved July 30th, 2008
Doy Moyer, (2008) Religion and Faith.
4. Retrieved August 17, 2008
Lina Kurdahi, (1996) Effects of War on the Behavior of Lebanese Preschool Children
5. Retrieved August 17, 2008,
Jones, James, (2004) Journal of Religion & Health, Pg 318,
University Of Phoenix.
6. Retrieved August 17, 2008
Slew Slim Chin, (2006) I am a Human Being, and I belong to the World, Pg 41. University of Phoenix Library.