M.Ted - LOL! That's cos animals aren't as stupid as people...in the sense of natural-based, useful intelligence, I mean. They are impervious to the blandishments of religious zealouts. And...they are beautifully tuned in to Spirit...but I can't prove that to anyone who doesn't know about Spirit in the first place. To someone like that, they are just dumb animals.

Mrzzy - There are a few religions which do not "immediately claim that all other religions are false".

The Bahais are one. They respect (and often study) all other notable religions, and they place all the great holy books of the world around the altars of their temples (of which there are just a handful in the world at present, but there are many Bahais in most countries).

The Native American Medicine Way does not deny other religions (nor ever did), but respects them as long as they respect it.

There are some Christians (particularly in the United Church) who do honor the other religions and give them recognition. I know a pastor in my own town who does. He accepts the truth of all religions...with the possible exception of a few really weird cults, like Satanists, for example. He has no problem whatsoever with Pagans, or people in Goddess-based faiths (Wicca or whatever).

There are some Buddhists and Hindus about whom I could say the same...depends how deeply they've gone into study and understanding of their faith. The same is probably true of some Muslims as well. But they're not the ones you will hear about on the news.

Most people in spiritual studies these days (as opposed to name-brand religions) honor all religions and limit themselves to none, but find the same inner truth in all. I count myself among those people.

Be that as it may, I understand the point you were making about religious prejudice....I just wanted to qualify it some, that's all.

Spiritual study asserts that we are all one, regardless of religious or cultural bias, and that human cultural variety is a good and beneficial thing, enriching the entire humanity.

- LH