The exoteric teachings of every religion reveal the truths that it teaches in it simplest and clearest form, but at the same time, they should embody all the essential and important principles that every believer should know.

Too often, the true teachings are ignored, misinterpreted and misunderstood. Instead, false teachings proliferate, confuse and mislead many.

Perhaps, it is time that we reflect and again evaluate our thinking relating to the different religions. I invite everyone to share his personal insights so that we may together come to a better understanding of these different world religions.

HInduism
http://www.mysticboard.com/spirituality/44858-god_speaks_to_the_hindus.html

Buddhism
http://www.mysticboard.com/spirituality/44747-buddhism_-_guide_to_practical_living.html

Islam


Christianity

In the little town of Bethlehem in Palestine, 2,000 years ago, there was born in a lowly manger, a male child, son to the carpenter Joseph and his wife, Mary, who belonged to a subject people, the Jews, under the rule of the Roman conquerors. This child was later to be called the Son of God, the King of kings. Coming into the world at a time when the world had turned itself away from God, through him, God gave to the world His love, His truth and His light.  

The people had departed from the teachings of the old prophets. Driven by their lusts for the things of the flesh, they had forgotten God and thought only of their own selfish interests. The principles and teachings of Judaism were cancelled out by the corruptness of its high priests and the deafness of its followers. The need for God’s guidance was great. And God sent Jesus.  

While Jesus is the Master of the World, he, like Gautama, the Buddha, before him, went into actual preparation for the first 30 years of his life, learning from others, and remembering what others did not know. For he comes from above. He is not of this world. He comes from Heaven.  

When it was time for him to do his Father’s work, he taught and preached with great authority surpassing that of all his elders and even the prophets before him. His life and teachings are embodied in the New Testament Gospels. And all that he taught can be summarized into two great commandments — "Love God and love your neighbor as yourself." By his works, the world knows him. And all who are of the Truth listens to him.  

The followers of the teachings of Jesus, the Christ, were later on called Christians. And, subsequently, the Christian Church was organized under the leadership of Peter and Paul and spread all over the world.  

Jesus upgrades the Old Testament teachings

In most all cases when asked as to their specific objections to religion, critics and non-believers cite false, obsolete and superseded teachings found in the Holy Scriptures of all the religions. They fail to realize that all instruction, specially divine instruction, is progressive -- beginning from the simple basic and graduating to the more complex and advanced.  

So did Jesus refute most all of the objectionable Old Testament teachings. Just to mention a few to give everyone a clearer idea, but there are many:

1.  In place of the tribal god Jehovah, the angry and jealous god of  the Hebrews, Jesus revealed the One God of love, justice and mercy Who loves all His children, assuring us that there is a valid spiritual reason for everything that happens to everyone.

2.  Instead of separation, isolation and the elimination of all enemies, inferior races and rival tribes, he taught that all men are brothers. We should all learn to love one another and live in harmony.

2.  An eye for an eye was replaced by Forgive, Turn your other cheek and Love your enemies. This while assuring everyone that God's exacting divine justice will be meted out to everyone.

3.  Animal and human sacrifices are discouraged in favor of the living practice of love, mercy, kindness and service to our fellowmen. Even though this is still widely believed and taught by his misguided followers, Jesus should not be regarded as a human sacrifice who died as a ransom for our sins. Instead, everyone of us will have to live as he lived, following his example as best we can.

4.  He simplified the 10 Commandments and converted them into just 2 -- Love God and love your neighbor as yourself, affording us more leeway in recognition of our higher stage of development from that of the ancient Hebrews.

5.  Many of the over 600 Mosaic Laws were revealed as worthless and useless traditions that even ran contrary to the true laws of God. The prohibitions against eating non-kosher foods and the detailed procedures for washing pots, pans, and other worldly rules and practices, etc. -- all man-made laws. God's laws relate to Spirit and are not so much concerned with material and physical considerations.

6.  He clarified the many integral parts of love. Do not judge or criticize. Forgive. We should mind our own business -- the board in our own eye -- and not interfere with someone else's. Practice tolerance and non-violence. Serve rather than seek to be served -- the greatest of all is the servant of all. Do unto others as you would want others to do unto you.

7.  He also provided us with clearer insights regarding the things of heaven and the goings on there. He enjoins us to study and prepare for the True Life that comes after earth life. Our fate depends on us, entirely -- what we think and do. And our enjoyment of everything in life is based on merit.

8.  Before he left us, he told us that God would send the Holy Spirits in his name to guide us to "all truth." He promised  that he will return, reincarnate, to teach us more, those that he wasn't able to tell us before, even the mysteries kept hidden since the foundation of the world. He will speak no longer in parables, but he will teach us plainly. And to those who have kept faith with him, his promises are being fulfilled even now.

My friend you err terribly! One of the mysteries is the sacrificial Lamb, and you distort the Gospel as it was taught by Jesus! I will gladly show you your errors if you will provide the scriptural evidence to back up you claims. Sorry, for being so upfront as my comments are not personal but a matter of the truth!  

No need to be sorry. I did ask for comments. We won't always agree. But let us present our arguments and allow everyone to individually decide the merits. And do let us agree not to be disagreeable. Don't worry about it. Just please be specific. Where do you feel I erred?

Re: sacrificial lamb:

Animal and human sacrifice

Some reasons why humans are sacrificed according to Wikipedia:

1. Sacrifice by Indian adherents of Tantrism who believe that human sacrifices to the gods can change their fortune.

2. Sacrifice to accompany the dedication of a new building like a temple or bridge. Chinese legends hold that thousands of people were entombed in the Great Wall of China which may be a metaphorical statement, considering the labor and investment of the construction.

3. Sacrifice in Aztec and Mayan cultures to the god of fertility to assure good corn harvest.

4. Sacrifice of his daughter by a victorious Biblical general Jephthah, and Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son to prove his loyalty to God.

5. Sacrifice upon the death of a king, high priest or great leader; the sacrifices were to serve or accompany the deceased leader in the next life. Mongols, Scythians, sometimes Egyptians and various Mesoamerican chiefs could take most of their household, including servants and concubines, with them to the next world. This is sometimes called a "retainer sacrifice," as the leader's retainers would be sacrificed along with their master.

6. Sacrifice by ritual combat. Aztecs killed prisoners in ritual combats.

7. Sacrifice for divination; a priest would try to predict the future from the body parts of a slain prisoner or slave. According to Strabo, Celts stabbed a victim with a sword and divined the future from his death spasms.

8. Sacrifice in times of natural disaster. Droughts, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc. were seen as a sign of anger or displeasure of gods and sacrifices were made to appease the divine ire. Cretans tried to stop the destruction of their island this way.

In the Bible, the Hebrews (modern Jews) beginning from their Father Abraham and other ancient tribes sacrificed animals and humans for their religious purposes. In the time of Moses, the blood of the lamb ensured that the Angel of Death would Passover the Jewish homes and spare their first-born. Much later because of the prevailing beliefs, Jesus came to be regarded as one such human sacrifice, in deference to the pagan practices of the reigning Romans during those periods.

Does your God delight in someone else suffering and paying for your sins? Would He even be approving of such a repulsive idea? Would this be just and fair to everyone involved? Didn't He decree that everyone shall be held personally responsible and liable for his own thoughts and actions? Did He not through Christ and all the prophets make known His commandments and rules of conduct that we should follow or face the consequences? Doesn't the Law of Sowing and Reaping apply in this situation? Is it okay for a transgressor to simply confess his sins, admit his fault saying he is sorry and then pray a few Hail Marys, and he will be forgiven?

We all should think again.

Yet today, although this abhorrent practice is much condemned, still, Christians everywhere believe and insist that Christ suffered and died to pay for their sins, releasing them from their accountability.

Where did Jesus teach this in his own words? Or is this simply another misconception and false teaching of mere followers and misguided Biblical writers and editors? What are your thoughts regarding this dogma of the churches?

In fact, Jesus himself was very emphatic when he taught us something else, altogether:

"Seek out the meaning of this particular verse of Scripture, ‘It isn’t your sacrifices and gifts that matter; instead, you must be merciful and kind.’” (MT 9)

"Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do." (MT 7)

"Settle disputes with your adversary, amicably, before it is too late; otherwise, he might drag you into court and the court would hand you over to the authorities to be thrown in jail. I tell you, you won’t be released from there until you have paid the last penny." (MT 5)

"‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison and you visited me.’

"Then, the righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you anything to drink? Or a stranger and help you? Or naked and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

"And the King will tell them, ‘When you did this for the least of my brothers, you were doing it for me!’" (MT 25)

Well, it's apparent you teach another doctrine and not the Gospel!! First, I am not swayed by the numbers that are opposed to Christ. So, that is not sign of what is the truth! We need a knowledge of God the redeemer, in Christ, as it was revealed to the fathers, under the law, and to us under the Gospel.
Because of the fall and the revolt of Adam, the human race became degenerate because of the original sin! How important is it to know our nature?

John 10:25-30
"Jesus answered them, I told you and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life and they shall never parish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and My Father are one."

Jesus said, These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me. John 16