Some people argue that all religions teach goodness, that all rivers merge into the sea, and that there are many paths to reach the same town. They claim you can take any path you wish.
The argument that all religions teach goodness is a weak argument.
One religion says all humans are equal by birth, and no one is superior by birth.
Another religion claims a person born in a particular caste is superior, while someone from another caste is inferior. How can both be good?
One religion says everyone should learn the scriptures.
Another religion says only a certain group can study, and if others attempt to learn, molten lead should be poured into their ears. How can these contradictory teachings both be good?
One religion says everyone is equal before the law.
Another religion says a higher-caste person who commits a crime receives a lighter punishment, while a lower-caste person receives a harsher punishment for the same crime. Can both systems be considered good?
One religion insists on giving offerings to priests for rituals involving marriage, death, ghosts, and spirits. Another religion advocates abolishing all priestly rituals. How can both be right?
One religion allows everyone equal access to worship God. Another religion forbids lower-caste people from entering God’s presence. How can these views both be good?
One religion says a human, with weaknesses like eating, drinking, defecation, desire, and anger, can never be a god or possess divine qualities. Another religion deifies humans and commands others to bow before them. How can these be reconciled?
- No remarriage for widows.
- No property rights for women.
- The husband is the supreme god for a woman.
- A widow must self-immolate.
- Marriage without a woman’s consent.
- another religion opposes all these practices.
One religion says God is one, self-sufficient, without parents, wife, or children, and beyond sleep and rest. Another religion contradicts these ideas.
One religion strictly forbids adultery, homosexuality, gambling, theft, intoxication, and bribery — all social evils. Another religion tries to justify these evils by claiming even gods committed them.
One religion says no one can bear another’s sins; each person is responsible for their own actions. Another religion claims one person can bear everyone’s sins.
One religion declares God is one. Another religion says God is three, or that there are multiple gods.
Given these thousands of contradictions, how can a rational person accept that all religions are equally good?
It is true that all rivers flow into the sea. Rivers lack reasoning, and the sea cannot discern what merges into it. Sewage can flow into the sea without shame, and the sea doesn’t recognize it.
Are humans like rivers, lacking knowledge and reasoning?
Humans possess intellect. The God to whom we seek to belong knows far more than we do. Just as the sea accepts sewage, God does not accept corrupt people.
If humans use reason to decide what to eat, drink, wear, or bathe in, shouldn’t we use reason when choosing beliefs and principles? Comparing ourselves to mindless rivers degrades our dignity.
Yes, there can be many paths to a town, but the issue isn’t just which path to take — it’s also which town to go to. If you aim for a northern town but travel south, you won’t reach your goal.
If a person wants to reach towns of equality, rationality, justice, and morality, can they travel toward untouchability, superstition, injustice, immorality, and confusion? Will that journey lead to the desired destination?
If all religions teach the same principles, laws, and foundations with different words, then multiple paths to one town make sense. But when teachings, laws, and foundations differ, how can they lead to the same destination?
