The aim of World Religion Day is to promote interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common denominators underlying all religions. Mankind, with its single origin, must now strive towards the reconciliation of that which has been split up. Furthermore, in this day and age human unity and true equality depend more on future goals, on what we are becoming and whither we are going. The prime cause of age-old conflict between man and man has been the absence of one ethical belief, a single spiritual standard. World Religion Day observances help to foster a unified approach to the changes that confront humanity, an approach that sees the whole earth as a single country and humanity its citizens.
Of all religions the best religion is to repeat God’s name and do pious deeds. By the grace of God’s Name May all humanity find itself lifted higher and higher. In Thy dispensation, O Lord, Let there be good in all humanity. ~Sikhism
Become as true brethren in the one and indivisible religion of God, free from distinction, for verily God desireth that your hearts become mirrors unto your brethren in the Faith, so that you find yourselves reflected in them, and they in you. ~The Baba, Bahá’í Faith
We know that in all creation only the human family
Has strayed from the Sacred Way.
We know that we are the ones who are divided
And we are the ones who must come back together
To walk in the Sacred Way.
Great Father, Sacred One,
Teach us love, compassion and honour,
That we may heal the earth and heal each other. ~Native American Tradition, Ojibway (Canada)
You can develop the right attitude toward others if you have kindness, love and respect for them, and a clear realization of the oneness of all human beings. ~Dalai Lama
It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; ~Judaism
If we live in our oneness-heart, we will feel the essence of all religions, which is the love of God. Forgiveness, compassion, tolerance, brotherhood and the feeling of oneness are the signs of a true religion. ~Sri Chinmoy (Hindu tradition)
The names of many Messengers are inscribed
In the records of many nations and many tongues,
And many were the forms in which their message was delivered,
According to the needs of the times and the understanding of the people ;
And manifold were the lives of the Messengers,
And manifold also was the response of their people ;
But they all witnessed to the One Truth :
Of God’s unity, might, grace and love.
As the records of man are imperfect,
And the memory of man unstable :
The names of many of these Messengers
Are known in one place and not in another,
Or among one people and not among others;
And some of their names may have perished utterly ;
But their message stands one and indivisible,
Even though it may have been forgotten,
Or twisted by ignorance, error, superstition or perversity ;
Or misunderstood ‘in the blinding light
Of time or tortuous Circumstance.
A.Yusuf Ali (from introduction to his translation of the Holy Qur’an) ~ Islam
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. ~ Jesus (John 10.16)
In a world where various forms of modern tyranny seek to suppress religious freedom, or try to reduce it to a subculture without right to a voice in the public square, or to use religion as a pretext for hatred and brutality, it is imperative that the followers of the various religions join their voices in calling for peace, tolerance, and respect for the dignity and rights of others.
~ Pope Francis