As you read, think and grow, take note of what is common among all beliefs, among all religions, among all political ideologies, etc. – What are the connections or relationships between them? What is common to them all?
At first, common themes will be hard to find. For example, political ideologies from the left and the right or religions from different parts of the world might seem so completely different that they have nothing in common at all. The key to seeing the common basis for them all is to stop looking at the level of specific rules, specific beliefs and specific issues and focus instead on principles and even one level higher than that… focus on the emotional roots of the principles.
For example, Christianity and Islam might seem very far apart. But can we find something common to them both? They both have one deity, and this deity is personified, and they each say we are children of the deity, and in certain portions of post-crusades writings, they both advocate brotherly love for all humanity. Now let’s add in something like Taoism. What is common to all three? Taoism does not have a personified deity, so we will have to move upwards in our perspective and say that they all three suggest there is a single all powerful force which creates everything and we are descended of that one force and that one force is the embodiment of love. They also all say that this one divine force is in our hearts or within us. This is just one interpretation.
Form your own exploration of what abstract truths are at the heart of all religions. Then consider what abstract truths are at the heart of all political ideologies. Then consider what abstract truths are common to all humanity. What do most people want out of life? What do most people worry about?
When you connect with the abstract truths common to all ideologies and all humanity, this does not mean you are giving up your current political ideology, or your current religion. It just means you are recognizing that there is something true at the heart of them all. Each religion and each political ideology and all humans then apply these truths in wildly different ways to make decisions about everyday life and who to vote for. How you choose to apply them might be very different from how someone else chooses.
The more we see that we are not so different, the easier it is to live and let live. It becomes easier to agree to disagree about the particular application and implications of those truths. If you are not very religious, start there and work your way to the harder topics where you feel most deeply entrenched. As you find the truths behind all ideologies, and the common desires of all people, write them down and think about them. Let them deepen your connection to others, the divine, your faith, and your principles.
