This is the beginning of a guide to world religions. I will be adding to this page as I am happy with the research and the results of the links to include. This will be an ongoing project as you can well imagine, so be patient as it develops. These links are to sites other than Shekinah as the internet is an extensive source of information. Why recreate absolutely everything? If you have a website to recommend, please send an email and I will review the website. Thank you for visiting.

The following is an excerpt from GOD AND THE BIG BANG by Daniel C. Matt. It may be an oversimplification of the following religions, but it seemed appropriate here. Please remember that one must keep an open mind and heart while visiting this website.

Hinduism sings of Brahman, and how It became the world. "In the beginning, there was Existence alone--One only, without a second. It, the One, thought to itself: 'Let Me be many, let Me grow forth.' Thus, out of Itself, It projected the universe, and having projected the universe out of Itself, It entered into every being. All that is has its self in It alone. Of all things It is the subtle essence. It is the trugh. It is the Self. And you are That."

Buddhism teaches that the origin of suffering and unhappiness lies in craving and desire. By reducing our craving, we reduce our suffering. To accomplish this one follows the eight-fold path: right understanding, right purpose, right speech, right conduct, right livlihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right contemplation. Following the path requires a moment-by-moment awareness unfettered by material objects or personal biases. Through medication, one can witness the transient nature of all existence and detach the mind from its various fixations.

Taoism is enigmatic, yet simple: "The names that can be named are not the eternal name." Essence cannot be grasped, only lived. Nothingness is useful: "Thirty spokes converge on a single hub, but it is in the space where there is nothing that the usefulness of the cart lies. Clay is molded to make a pot, but it is in the space where there is nothing that the usefulness of the clay pot lies. Cut out doors and windows to make a room, but it is in the space where there is nothing that the usefulness of the room lies. Therefore, benefit may be derived from something, but it is in nothing that we find usefulness."

Islam teaches that the one divine Book has been revealed in various forms throughout history: as Torah, as the Gospels, as the Koran. "For each period there is a book revealed." Moses, Jesus and Mohammed each conveyed the truth in a way appropriate to their particular age. This relativism is, of course, outweighed by Islam's insistence that the Koran is the final word, that Mohammed is the "seal of the prophets." In Sufism, the mystical stream of Islam, such exclusivism is at time transcended, for example in the teaching of Ibn Arabi: "My heart is capable of every form: a cloister of the monks, a temple for idols, a pasture for gazelles, the Ka'ba of the pilgrim, the tablets of the Torah, the book of the Koran. Love is my religion. Wherever its camels turn, love is my creed and faith."

Islam and Christianity particularly challenge Jews. Judaism's daughter religions have spread the message of one God throughout the world. Permeating cultures East and West, they have dwarfed their parent faith. Islam and Judaism clash most sharply in the Holy Land, where the fitful peace process cannot succeed without a little mutual respect for what each considers holy. In the Middle East and elsewhere, Muslims and Jews must gradually learn to appreciate the wisdom within each other's tradition.

But Christianity is the faith from which Jews find it most difficult to learn, partly because it developed directly from Judaism, partly because of centuries of Christian anti-Semitism. The problem, for many Jews, lies with the very person whom Christians venerate: Jesus.

There is much more in the book. It is an adventure to be experienced.

GOD AND THE BIG BANG
by Daniel C. Matt
Page 153 - 155

YOU SAY	GOD SAYS	BIBLE VERSES
"It's impossible"	All things are possible	Luke 18:27
"I'm too tired"	I will give you rest	Matthew 11:28-30
"Nobody really loves me"	I love you	John 3:16 and John 3:34
"I can't go on"	My grace is sufficient	II Corinthians 12:9 and Psalm 91:15
"I can't figure things out"	I will direct your steps	Proverbs 3:5-6
"I can't do it"	You can do all things	Philippians 4:13
"I'm not able"	I am able	II Corinthians 9:8
"It's not worth it"	It will be worth it	Roman 8:28
"I can't forgive myself"	I Forgive you	I John 1:9 and Romans 8:1
"I can't manage"	I will supply all your needs	Philippians 4:19
"I'm afraid"	I have not given you a spirit of fear	II Timothy 1:7
"I'm always worried and frustrated"	Cast all your cares on ME	I Peter 5:7
"I'm not smart enough"	I give you wisdom	I Corinthians 1:30
"I feel all alone"	I will never leave you or forsake you	Hebrews 13:5

Links to Other Websites Please come back to Shekinah often. You are always welcome.
Christian Websites
Quakers in Brief
Judaism
Judaism 101	Jewish Life	Chabad.org
Jewish-American History	Jewish Encyclopedia	Jewish Holy Days
Buddhist, Hindu, Tao and Islam Sites
Dalai Lama	FWBO - Buddhist	Hindu Resources
TrueTao.org	The Council on American-Islamic Relations	Islam Guide
		Sikhism

Ancient Religions
Metareligion...to promote a multidisciplinary view of the religious, spiritual and esoteric phenomena.

United Religions Initiative
In a world fractured by violence, we seek to provide hope.
May the work of our members and friends inspire your hope and commitment.
May we be the change we wish to see in the world.

Reluctant Messenger of Science and Religion:
Taosim, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism

Bible
This is a great research tool!

Early Christian Writings:
New Testament, Acocryphis, Gnostic and Church Fathers