That religious belief has such differing varieties, that worshippers often argue with each other as well as pray, is often considered a scandal to the skeptic, a threat to the weak of faith, and a stimulating challenge to those who are not discouraged by finding differing doctrines and practices among mankind.
What can there be in common between a crimson-robed Cardinal at the Vatican Council, a Burmese boy taking the tonsure and yellow robe of Buddhist monkhood, the Muslim pilgrim to Mecca, the Hindu worshipper of the dread Mother Kali, and the Jew reciting the shema: �Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One�?
Certainly the study of comparative religions forces us back to the essentials of religion and the basic issues of belief. What are the religions really talking about? Can we argue about them or is it all a matter of taste? Is there a way of testing religion in living, or is all of it theory up in the air where no one can bring it to earth? Can we speak of religion in general, or are there only specific, local religions? Can a religion be torn out of the culture it grew in? Do the great religions mean different things when they use the same words, or do they mean the same things in their different words? Should we work toward one world religion, or just agree to disagree? Is there one best religion?
