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Compiled by Richard Stoney for Hinduwebsite.com
Tolerance
Religious Tolerance and Saivism
"How Do Saivites Regard Other Faiths?
Religious beliefs are manifold and different. S'aivites, understanding the strength
of this diversity, wholeheartedly respect and encourage all who believe in God. They honor the fact that Truth is one, paths are many. Aum.
Since the inner intent of all religions is to bind man back to God, S'aivite Hindus seek not to interfere with anyone's faith or practice. We believe that there is no exclusive path, no one way for all. S'aivites profoundly know that God S'iva is the same Supreme Being in whom people of all faiths find solace, piece and liberation. Nonetheless, we realize that all religions are not the same.
Each has its unique beliefs, practices, goals and paths of attainment, and the doctrines of one often conflict with those of another. Even this should never be the cause for religious tension or intolerance. S'aivites respect all religious traditions and the people within them. They know that that good citizens and stable societies are created from groups of religious people.
Saivite leaders support and participate in ecumenical gatherings with all religions....The Vedas explain, 'Let us have concord with our own people, and concord with people who are strangers to us'" -
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, Dancing with S'iva, p. 35 Hinduism Today
Hinduism and Religious Tolerance
"There are as many paths to God as there are faiths."
Shri Ramakrishna
"Hindus never claim that they are the 'chosen people'. They lay no claim to superiority over the faiths but declare equality among all faiths. If we believe that every one of us can realize God in our own way, then we also have to accept that our way to God cannot be the 'only' way or the 'best' way. Every individual has or her own way to God, and that is the right way for them. Moreover, it is not rightto force our beliefs on another....It is common to find various sects [of Hinduism]....all worshipping together."
Kerry Brown, ed. The Essential Teachingsof Hinduism, p. 199
"Never quarrel about religion. All quarrels and disputes concerning religion simply show that spirituality is not present."
- Swami Vivekananda.
Suggested Further Reading
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