The problem is that since the basics are often the same, they have to distinguish themselves with the tertiary ideas. They want to convert people to their flavor of religion, or sub-flavor, so they have to differentiate with the small stuff. This leads to the small stuff becoming all-important.

This leads to the small stuff becoming all-important.

hellooooo Baker, we dont agree very often (we do sometimes) and you certainly correct in that. I really don't understand it. why do i care how would someone worships or even visualizes his/her God as long as we both agree it is one God and the basic guidelines are the same?. He said He will decide which one is right and which is not, if any, and that is His issue with each one who worships Him for sure. So why do we get involved in that?

Well, you aren't coming at this from the perspective of organized religion. You know, big buildings with big electric bills with lots of people to pay? The thing changes where people start making PAYCHECKS, feeding themselves and their families based upon the religion.

Then, when the pews aren't full, neither are your pockets. When the church down the road, even if it is the same overall religion, starts to leech members away from you, you have to distinguish yourself. Heavens, too, how much better if you can tell people that believe otherwise sends them to hell?

Think of it politically. The rules of religion and politics are shamefully similar.

Think of it politically. The rules of religion and politics are shamefully similar.

Unfortunately this is very true. But it is degrading to the religion. and deals with God as if he some kind of political character that we can support or spin his words the way we like.

If we separate the human input from His words, they come shining with His true glory. But this is another issue that the big buildings land-lords refuse to do.

You feel very strongly in the views you hold, to you they are logical. To those in the other Faiths you mention, there are those who have a similar depth of conviction, but would deny there are no differences, indeed will claim, and do, that there are too many to make such a theory reality. Wishing and grand schemes are one thing, making them a reality is quite another as I am sure you are aware.

A first step in getting them to come together, is to acknowledge that their views have differences. At that point the individual will feel less threatened and there is a chance of dialogue. Once such a statement is qualified by things such as ".... true or not", such backhanded so called subtleties blow the game and we are back to square one, you will not see them for dust. Humility at the negotiating table is a good thing, and many negotiators forget that much to the detriment of Inter Faith conferences where too many seem to insist on being subtle and showing the superior nature of their particular Faith.

Sad - for sure. Illogical - for sure. I wish though they would get on with it, as a non-believer in a Supreme Deity, its hard work getting ones life regularly clobbered or turned upside down, just because two Faiths want to slug it out both claiming "God is on their side". I genuinely believe Faith is a good thing for those who believe in it, anything that gives inner peace is a good thing, good luck to them. Its just insane to be in the middle of this nonesense where both sides are doing there best to purge the planet of the other, each claiming a moral high ground, and those who just want to get on with their lives end up as peace makers for ideologies they have no belief in. Just observation, not crticisms as such - its a funny ol world.