For years, people have been killing each other mercilessly and wars have claimed many lives because of conflicting religious beliefs. In today’s word many atrocities, murders, and crimes are committed in the name of God and religion. Some believe they are the only righteous ones and everyone else is an infidel. Some so-called religious leaders call the prophet of God a “terrorist”. This division and self-prophecy by people or groups of people have been ongoing throughout the times. Dictators, corrupt political and religious leaders have embraced such divisions and conflicts to expand their control and power and to increasingly tyrannize and oppress people in an unprecedented manner.
“To build a world in which Justice and Fairness applies to everyone; everyone’s rights are protected; there is no sign of injustice, oppression, corruption, poverty, ignorance, indignity, hatred, extremism, racism, prejudice, or war; and mankind can live in happiness, contentment, and fulfillment with kindness and peace of mind.”
To achieve this goal and build such a world, God through the prophets and the Holy Scriptures, has provided the necessary foundation. Study of the Holy Scriptures and commandments reveal that to reach this goal it is necessary that people unite, stand for, and uphold justice. By doing so the humanity has a chance to create the world that mankind deserve.
All religious, righteous, reformers, and majority of non-religious people share this goal and they all wish to live in such a world. People of the world who share the goal of religion should join hands and unite with each other in order to achieve this invaluable goal by utilizing their combined resources. Only being concerned about one’s own integrity is not enough. Everyone should unite and actively participate to stop oppressors and corrupts from crushing people’s rights, committing crimes and atrocities, and creating fear, anxiety, hatred, misery, and anger.
The question is: What has prevented such a world from becoming a reality? Why are there so many wars? Why so many atrocities, murders, and crimes are being committed? Why the name calling and demonizing each other still continues? Why hatred, oppression, extremism, fanaticism, and betrayal thrive in this world? Why are injustice, poverty, and corruption on the rise?
The answer is: Dictators, corrupt politicians and religious leaders do anything to expand and increase their power, authority, control, and wealth. They do their utmost, so everyone obeys them without any question. They have used the “divide and conquer” tactic for centuries to prevent the unity of religious, righteous, and reformers. They have encouraged extremism, so people stop listening to each other. They have promoted differences among various groups, and have encouraged every group to believe that, they are the only ones that are right and all others are wrong.
Every group believes that because they practice their rituals and the details of their faith in a different way, they are the only righteous ones. They have stopped listening to each other, and do not realize they all have the same goal. This division has allowed dictators, corrupt politicians, and so-called religious leaders to prevent everyone from accomplishing this invaluable objective by promoting division, extremism, and injustice.
These divisions, conflicts, and disputes have existed and continue to escalate and intensify in spite the fact that God has established the same religion for Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammad, and all other prophets, and has commanded everyone to make no division.
Examine the world’s military budget. It is evident that an enormous amount of money is being spent on making bombs and sophisticated weaponry to kill people and destroy their possessions. According to a study done by the United Nations, just the annual military budget of the United States is enough to provide safe drinking water, basic housing, food, elementary education and healthcare for the most needy of the world.
It is time for religious, righteous, and reformers to unite and set their differences aside and commit all their resources to build a world that kindness, peace, justice, fairness, having peace of mind, contentment, and tolerance is the norm, and there is no sign of injustice, oppression, corruption, ignorance, poverty, indignity, hatred, extremism, prejudice, racism, or war.
Whenever such a world becomes a reality, everyone can live in happiness with fulfillment and contentment, everyone practices their own rituals and details in conformity to their faith, and mankind have achieved what all the prophets of God and the Holy Scriptures stand for.
We must unite and put an end to injustice, hatred, extremism, and enmities.
Differences in details and rituals, misunderstanding each other’s beliefs, and the refusal to listen to each other’s point of view have resulted in a world full of hatred, injustice, and corruption. The only way to reach this invaluable goal of religion is by setting aside our differences and disagreements, and concentrating on God commandments that are the guiding light that will enlighten the path for unity of religious, righteous, and reformers.
What does Justice and Fairness truly mean? It means that everyone rights should be observed, respected, and protected. These rights include the Right to Life, Financial Right, the Right to exercise Chastity, and the Right to have peace of mind. Additionally, the Rights of Parents and Neighbors must also be observed.
Next section will review these rights in the Scriptures and points out the fact that all the Scriptures have protected these rights for all mankind.
Before proceeding, it is necessary to point out that one should study the Scriptures and ponder upon their commandments. People should not simply believe what anyone claims about the Scriptures. Therefore, look these verses up, and study and refer to the Scriptures whenever someone quotes anything, and alleges that it is from the Scriptures.
The
Bible (New Testament)
In Matthew 5:20 Jesus says:
“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven"
In Matthew 9:13 Jesus says:
“…For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
In Matthew 13:43 Jesus says:
"Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father."
In Matthew 23:23 Jesus says:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others”
In Matthew 25:46 Jesus says:
"And these will go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into eternal life."
In 1 John 3:10 John writes:
"... whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God,"
In Matthew 19:16 a young man asks Jesus:
"Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
And in Matthew 19:18, 19 Jesus replies:
“You shall do no murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother: and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
In Matthew 7:21 Jesus says:
"Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven."
In 1 Corinthians 5:11 Paul writes:
“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.”
In 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 Paul writes:
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God."
By analyzing these versus from the Bible we realize that according to the sayings of Jesus, if a Christian, a Buddhist, a Zoroastrian, a Jew, a Muslim, or anyone else who carries out the Commands of God (does not kill, nor commits adultery, nor steals, nor bears false witness, nor lies, Honors his/her father and mother, and loves his/her neighbor) will enter the kingdom of heaven. A person calling himself/herself a follower of Jesus whose action are contrary to the teachings of Jesus, will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Also in accordance with the teachings of the Bible, the followers of Jesus who are aware of these teachings (and not blindly following what is being told about the Bible) should unite and cooperate with others who have similar beliefs and values, i.e. with the religious, righteous and reformers of the world, in order to make a world in which there is no sign of injustice, oppression, and corruption.
Chapter 57, Verse 25:
“Certainly We sent Our messengers with Clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of Right and Wrong), that men may stand forth in justice”
Chapter 5, Verse 8:
"O Believers: Stand out firmly for God, and be witnesses for justice, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety:"
Chapter 4, Verse 135:
"O you who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily God is well- acquainted with all that you do”
Chapter 17, Verse 33 on the Right to Life:
"Nor take life - which God has made sacred - except for just cause."
Chapter 2, Verse 188 on Financial Rights:
“And do not devour your property among yourselves by false means and offer it not as bribe to the authorities that you may devour a part of the wealth of other people wrongfully while you know.”
Chapter 17, Verse 32 on the Right to Chastity:
“Nor come near to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils)”
Chapter 49, Verse 11 and 12 on peace of mind:
"“O you who believe! Let not some men among you ridicule others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not repent are (indeed) transgressors. … Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs”
Chapter 4, Verse 36 on the rights of parents and neighbors:
"And serve Allah and do not associate any thing with Him and be good to the parents and to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the neighbor of (your) kin and the alien neighbor, and the companion in a journey and the wayfarer and those whom your right hands possess.”
Chapter 42, Verse 13 on the Unity of Religion:
“The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - that which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein:”
To abide by these commands, true followers of the Quran (not those who blindly follow what is being told about the Quran) should unite and cooperate with others who have similar beliefs and values, i.e. with the religious, righteous and reformers of the world, in order to make a world in which there is no sign of injustice, oppression, and corruption.
The
Torah (Old Testament)
In Exodus 20:12-17 the commandments are:
“Honor
your father and you mother
You shall not kill
You shall not commit adultery
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is your neighbor's.”
Deuteronomy, chapter 5:16-21 reiterates the same commands.
Also examine the following verses from the Torah:
Leviticus 19:11, 15 “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another … You shall do no injustice in judgment. Not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of mighty”
Genesis 18:19 “to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice”
Deuteronomy 16:19, 20 “You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall follow”
Jeremiah 22:3 “Thus says the LORD; Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place”
Exodus 23:1 "You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness."
In accordance with the teachings of the Torah, the Jewish people who are aware of these commands (and not blindly following what is being told about the Torah) should unite and cooperate with others who have similar beliefs and values, i.e. with the religious, righteous and reformers of the world, in order to make a world in which there is no sign of injustice, oppression, and corruption.
Teachings of Buddha
In Sigalovada Sutta, The Buddha tells Sigalaka the followings:
"Inasmuch, young householder, as the noble disciple has eradicated the four vices in conduct, inasmuch as he commits no evil action in four ways, … ,he is favored in this world and in the world beyond. Upon the dissolution of the body, after death, he is born in a happy heavenly realm.
"What are the four vices in conduct that he has eradicated? The destruction of life, householder, is a vice and so are stealing, sexual misconduct, and lying. These are the four vices that he has eradicated."
… He spoke yet again:
Killing, stealing, lying and adultery,
These four evils the wise never praise.
"In which four ways does one commit no evil action? Led by desire does one commit evil. Led by anger does one commit evil. Led by ignorance does one commit evil. Led by fear does one commit evil
"But inasmuch as the noble disciple is not led by desire, anger, ignorance, and fear, he commits no evil."
In “Avoiding Ten Evils” section, The Buddha says:
All acts of living creatures become bad by ten things, and by avoiding the ten things they become good. There are three evils of the body, four evils of the tongue, and three evils of the mind.
The evils of the body are, murder, theft, and adultery; of the tongue, lying, slander, abuse, and idle talk; of the mind, covetousness, hatred, and error.
I exhort you to avoid the ten evils:
Kill not, but have regard for life.
Steal not, neither do ye rob; but help everybody to be master of the fruits of his labor.
Abstain from impurity, and lead a life of chastity.
Lie not, but be truthful. Speak the truth with discretion, fearlessly and in a loving heart.
Invent not evil reports, neither do ye repeat them. Carp not, but look for the good sides of your fellow-beings, so that ye may with sincerity defend them against their enemies.
Swear not, but speak decently and with dignity.
Waste not the time with gossip, but speak to the purpose or keep silence.
Covet not, nor envy, but rejoice at the fortunes of other people.
Cleanse your heart of malice and cherish no hatred, not even against your enemies; but embrace all living beings with kindness.
Free your mind of ignorance and be anxious to learn the truth, especially in the one thing that is needful, lest you fall a prey either to skepticism or to errors. Skepticism will make you indifferent and errors will lead you astray
In Accordance to Buddha’s teachings, the Buddhists who are aware of these teachings should cooperate with those who have similar thoughts and values, i.e. with the religious, righteous and reformers of the world, in order to make a world in which there is no sign of injustice, oppression, and corruption.
Please take time, and think about the verses that we discussed.
The source of all conflicts
The followers of religion can practice the details of their faith and their rituals as it is laid out in their particular Scripture. However, the particular views of scholars, leaders and religious organizations should not be considered as being divine and must not be treated as commandments of God. These writings should be considered as the personal views of such persons, and there may be no certainty of such views being either right or wrong. It is necessary to set aside the differences that exist because of the details and rituals of each religion and do not allow them to give rise to disputes and create division. Preventing divisions and mistrust creates the opportunity to unite the religious, righteous and reformers to achieve the goal of all the prophets and the Holy Scriptures, which is to build a world that is free of injustice, oppression, corruption, poverty, ignorance, hatred, extremism, prejudice, racism or war. In such a world mankind can live in happiness, with fulfillment, contentment, kindness and peace of mind.
The Bible views on
the details
Matthew 15:1-13 “Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, ‘Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?’ … He answered and said to them, ‘Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?’ … Hypocrites! well did Esaias prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, But their heart is far from me.’ …Then his disciples came and said to him ‘Do you Know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?’ But he answered and said, ‘Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted will be uprooted’”
These verses point out that words alone, and as Esaias puts it “honoring with their lips” does not make one righteous. The works and actions are essential, as it said in Titus 1:16 “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work”
These verses also point out another important command: any instructions or commands that are not from God should be destroyed; this is because they result in conflicts, disputes, and divisions.
Also looking at the following verses:
Matthew 21:28-31 “But what do you think? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: but he did not go. Which of them two did the will of his father? They say said to him, The first” and
Luke 6:46 “But why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do the things which I say?” and
Romans 2:13 Paul says: “For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified” and
James 2:14-20 “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have the works? Can faith save him? …Thus also faith by itself, it does not have works, is dead… But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without work is dead” and
James 2:24, 26 “You see then that a man is justified by work, and not by faith only… For as the body without the spirit is dead, so is faith without work (dead)”
They all reaffirm that it is the action of people that determines their righteousness. No one can be righteous by words alone; it requires good deeds and actions.
The Quran views on details
In
the Quran 98:6 “And
they have been commanded no more than this: To worship God, offering
Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular
prayer; and to practice regular charity; and that is the Religion
Right and Straight.” We
can see how God simplifies the religion. There is no mention of the
details and traditions, because God does not see them as part of
religion.
In 11:118 "If your Lord had so willed, He could have made mankind one people: but they will not cease to dispute” and
In 5:44-48 “It was We who revealed the law (to Moses): therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to God’s will, …and in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear God. Let the people of the Gospel judge by what God has revealed therein. To you We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what God has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that has come to you. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If God had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He has given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues, The goal of you all is to God. it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;” and
In 42:13 “The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - that which We have sent by inspiration to you - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein:”
God informs everyone that: there is guidance and light in the Law (the Torah, Old Testament), the Gospel (the Bible, New Testament) and the Quran. Each one of these scriptures confirms the previous one; God intentionally made people different, and he will judge everyone based on the scripture they believe; No one should make division in religion; everyone should set aside their differences, practice their rituals and details, and unite with one another to achieve the goal of religion.
The Torah (Old Testament) views on the details
In Deuteronomy 4:2 “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.” and
Deuteronomy 12:32 “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it” and
Prov 30:6 “Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.” and
Leviticus 22:31 “So you shall keep my commandments and do them”
God emphasizes that nothing should be added to his commandments nor be taken from them by anyone (no matter who, a religious leader, a political leader, or a dictator). This implies that man made traditions and rituals should not be considered as God’s word and everyone should keep God’s commandments and obey them (word alone is not good enough).
By reviewing the Holy Scriptures and God commandments, this article demonstrated that the goal of religion, all the prophets, the Holy Scriptures, and God commandments are:
“To build a world in which Justice and Fairness applies to everyone; everyone’s rights are protected; there is no sign of injustice, oppression, corruption, poverty, ignorance, indignity, hatred, extremism, racism, prejudice, or war; and mankind can live in happiness, contentment, and fulfillment with kindness and peace of mind.”
The main barrier to achieve this objective is overcoming the superstitions, misunderstandings, and false information that have been carved into people’s belief systems. These issues have nothing to do with the goal of religion, and have been created because people have concentrated on minor details and rituals of each faith and stopped listening to each other. To overcome this barrier, people should educate themselves with the truth about religion by reading and understanding the Holy Scriptures, and not following the beliefs of their parents or their leaders (religious and political) blindly.
The only way to establish a world free of injustice, poverty, corruption, ignorance, oppression, indignity, hatred, extremism, prejudice, racism, or war is by educating and uniting the religious, righteous, and the reformers against the dictators, oppressors, and other corrupt elements of the society.
Today the widespread quest for the truth and thirst for knowledge is rampant and it has created an unprecedented opportunity to educate and unite the people of the world utilizing the power of technology and mass media communication.
In order to educate and inform as many people as possible about the goal of religion and to broadcast and propagate the message of unity, it is necessary to make full use of all the available communication technologies such as: brochures, newspapers, magazines, books, poetry, art, music, paintings, film, theater, radio, television, cell phones, satellite, and the Internet. The religious, righteous, and reformers should combine all their resources (including financial, manpower, etc.) to facilitate and achieve this unity. When they unite and cooperate, they will be able to liberate the world from injustice, suffering, poverty, oppression, indignity, and corruption.
It is important to realize that if justice and fairness are implemented in the affairs of the world, there would not be any need to allocate huge budgets and manpower to heavy defense armaments and large military organizations. These resources can be used to eliminate poverty, illiteracy, homelessness, and minimize illnesses and diseases.
It is noteworthy to mention
that God has told us that he will not help change the condition of
the world or a nation unless the intentions and actions of people
changes. Therefore it is important that people be made aware of the
power of their actions and intentions and to begin the process of
educating and uniting as soon as possible. The sooner this process
starts, the sooner the invaluable goal of religion is achieved, and
mankind can live in a world that truly deserves, a world in which
everyone can live in happiness, fulfillment, and peace.
It is time to unite and stop injustice, hatred, and war.