$JES 911 Essence of World Religions Reference Book

Author(s): Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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Essence of World Religions
Introduction
During the thousands of years of mankind's history, man's search for God or Self has led down many pathways. The result has been the enormous diversity of religious expression found worldwide. It ranges from the endless variety of Hinduism; the emptiness of Buddhism; the self-control of Jainism; and the harmonious approach of Sikhism; to the monotheism of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; and to the oriental philosophies of Shinto, Taoism, and Confucianism.
The prophets of all religions have realized the same whole reality / truth, but only their expression and language differs. All preach reverence for truth, honesty, dignity, freedom, right to live, and human brotherhood, and yet when we look at the history of the world it appears that much blood has been shed in the name of religion.
In every religion there are three elements:
Philosophy or basic Belief
Mythology
Rituals
A close study of all scriptures reveal that the basic beliefs like faith in God or Self, reverence for truth, honesty, and brotherly love are common. The differences exist in rituals and mythology. This is due to the fact that various religions have developed in different times, places and within various cultural contexts.
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In what way and how many times a day should God be worshipped?
Whether or not there should be provision for divorce? Whether or not birth control or use of contraceptives is allowed in religion?
All these questions are important and yet whether any social custom is moral or immoral, good or bad, depends on the specific time, place and circumstances. Hence it is important that the moral code of our time must respond to the needs of modern human beings and their problems rather than observing traditions that have become obsolete.
Secondly in our scientific age, there can be no place for magic,
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