There are probably few maxims so assumed in what passes for popular culture’s engagement with spirituality than that most religions lead to the same God. Difference among religions can largely be traced to accidents of history, the press of political and social forces, and, of course, cultural affinities that give shape to differing religious sensibilities. But the base assumption is that God – if there be a God – is by definition too large to be restricted by the doctrines or narratives or practices of a single religious system.
Among many considerations missing from this thinking is serious engagement with a theory of revelation. What if the convulsions sometimes caused by religious strife actually represent a clash of revelations more than a clash of civilizations? That is, what if there may be genuine differences between religions because genuinely different gods are being worshipped?
Such questions might best be left for another day and more space. In the meantime, the attached link to an interview with Stephen Prothero on the Huffington Post may be helpful. I have referenced Prothero on these pages before. Professor of Religion at Boston University, Prothero’s most recent book is on topic: God is Not One: The Eight Religions That Run the World – And Why Their Differences Matter. His essential point is that it is more important to understand the differences between religions than it is to assume they all lead up the same mountain. Amen.