A Global Religion

World leaders are pushing to bring together the religions of the world. By not discussing differences, and focusing on being kind and tolerant, they seek to demote the importance of belief to nothing more than a personal or cultural choice. But every religion cannot be truth, for many of them have conflicting and opposing views. When world leaders tour the world paying homage to other religions, they communicate the idea that there is no truth in religion—just myths, allegories and cultural preferences. This is an affront to God, mixing truth and error.

The Prince of Wales is given a traditional greeting on his arrival at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London—commonly known as Neasden Temple—to mark the Hindu Holi Festival, March 2009. © Press Association.
The Prince of Wales is given a traditional greeting on his arrival at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London—commonly known as Neasden Temple—to mark the Hindu Holi Festival, March 2009.

© Press Association.
The Prince of Wales, Patron of the Jewish Museum, officially opened the Museum in London. The Museum opened in March 2010 and celebrates Jewish life, allowing visitors to explore Jewish history, culture and religion.
The Prince of Wales, Patron of the Jewish Museum, officially opened the Museum in London.

The Museum opened in March 2010 and celebrates Jewish life, allowing visitors to explore Jewish history, culture and religion.
The Prince of Wales accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall on a visit to the Dohany Synagogue, in Budapest, Hungary, during day four of the Prince of Wales and Duchess's tour of Europe.
The Prince of Wales accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall on a visit to the Dohany Synagogue, in Budapest, Hungary, during day four of the Prince of Wales and Duchess's tour of Europe.
The Prince of Wales has a bindi placed on his forehead during a tour of the Tolesar Charan Village in Jodhpur, on the fourth day of a four day visit to India.
The Prince of Wales has a bindi placed on his forehead during a tour of the Tolesar Charan Village in Jodhpur, on the fourth day of a four day visit to India.
Britain's Prince Charles speaks with Imam Stefan Mustafa Jasinski, 99, in the village of Kruszyniany, northeast Poland, Tuesday, March 16, 2010. On the second day of his visit to Poland, Prince Charles came to Kruszyniany, where he met representatives of the Muslim minority in Poland. AP Photo/Alik Keplicz.
Britain's Prince Charles speaks with Imam Stefan Mustafa Jasinski, 99, in the village of Kruszyniany, northeast Poland, Tuesday, March 16, 2010. On the second day of his visit to Poland, Prince Charles came to Kruszyniany, where he met representatives of the Muslim minority in Poland.

AP Photo/Alik Keplicz.
The Prince of Wales views rare and sacred Jain manuscripts during a visit to the Victoria & Albert museum, London. © Press Association
The Prince of Wales views rare and sacred Jain manuscripts during a visit to the Victoria & Albert museum, London.

© Press Association
Prince Charles in Muslim apparel.
Prince Charles in Muslim apparel.
The prince's view that, when King, he might change his title of 'Defender of the Faith' to 'Defender of Faith,' to reflect multicultural modern Britain, cheered many.  Photo Source: Agence France-Presse.
The prince's view that, when King, he might change his title of "Defender of the Faith" to "Defender of Faith," to reflect multicultural modern Britain, cheered many.  

Photo Source: Agence France-Presse.
Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama share a friendly secret.
Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama share a friendly secret.
Benedict is guided through the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. He is only the second pope in history—after John Paul II in Damascus in 2001—to set foot in a Muslim house of worship. Read more about Muslim-Catholic RelationsSource: Salih Zeki Fazlioglu, AP.
Benedict is guided through the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. He is only the second pope in history—after John Paul II in Damascus in 2001—to set foot in a Muslim house of worship. Read more about Muslim-Catholic Relations

Source: Salih Zeki Fazlioglu, AP.
Source: L'Osservatore Romano via AFP/Getty Images By Eric J. Lyman, Special for USA TODAY ROME — In a meeting the Vatican says was unprecedented in its scope, Pope Benedict XVI told 20 Muslim ambassadors Monday that he is committed to a positive dialogue with Islamic leaders and 'our future' depends on the development of strong relations between the two faiths. The meeting, held at the pope's summer residence just south of Rome, came nearly two weeks after Benedict sparked worldwide protests by quoting a 14th-century letter that said the prophet Mohammed 'spread by the sword the faith he preached'' and his teachings brought things 'evil and inhuman.'Read more about Muslim-Catholic Relations


Source: L'Osservatore Romano via AFP/Getty Images

By Eric J. Lyman, Special for USA TODAY ROME — In a meeting the Vatican says was unprecedented in its scope, Pope Benedict XVI told 20 Muslim ambassadors Monday that he is committed to a positive dialogue with Islamic leaders and "our future" depends on the development of strong relations between the two faiths. The meeting, held at the pope's summer residence just south of Rome, came nearly two weeks after Benedict sparked worldwide protests by quoting a 14th-century letter that said the prophet Mohammed "spread by the sword the faith he preached"' and his teachings brought things "evil and inhuman."

Read more about Muslim-Catholic Relations
Pope Benedict XVI prays barefoot at the Blue Mosque
Pope Benedict XVI prays barefoot at the Blue Mosque
Benedict receiving the Koran. On April 17, 2008, during the inter-faith meeting he promoted in Washington at the John Paul II Cultural Center, Benedict received an ornate silver-plated copy of part of the Koran with a mother-of-pearl inlay. It contained calligraphic verses from the Mohammedan book.
Benedict receiving the Koran. On April 17, 2008, during the inter-faith meeting he promoted in Washington at the John Paul II Cultural Center, Benedict received an ornate silver-plated copy of part of the Koran with a mother-of-pearl inlay. It contained calligraphic verses from the Mohammedan book.
Pope Benedict XVI greets an unidentified Muslim envoy Monday during a meeting at his summer residence outside Rome.
Pope Benedict XVI greets an unidentified Muslim envoy Monday during a meeting at his summer residence outside Rome.
Pope John Paul II warmly greets the Dalai Lama who appears to be very pleased to meet the Pope.
Pope John Paul II warmly greets the Dalai Lama who appears to be very pleased to meet the Pope.
Pope Benedict receiving the Aborigine 'blessing' during his stay in Sydney for the World Youth Day 2008.
Pope Benedict receiving the Aborigine "blessing" during his stay in Sydney for the World Youth Day 2008.
Endorsing Shamanism.
Endorsing Shamanism.
John Paul II with an African Voodoo Priest. Assisi, 1986.Voodooism (voodoo=deity) is a religion originating in West Africa (particularly Benin) that is also widely practiced in Haiti and the Antilles. It is characterized by various rites of homage to the 'Great Master' or good God who is the creator of the spirits responsible for protecting human beings. The great God and the sprits are identified with the Christian God and the saints of the Catholic Church. The calendar of Voodoo feast imitates that of Christian worship. Voodoo ceremonies consist of rituals invoking the spirits and the great God and are marked by drums and songs accompanying an animal sacrifice. The rite culminates in a trance in which a ritual dancer is thought to be possessed by a divinity. Ceremonies are conducted by a man (hungan), or a woman (mambo), who are often knowledgeable about witchcraft as well.
John Paul II with an African Voodoo Priest. Assisi, 1986.

Voodooism (voodoo=deity) is a religion originating in West Africa (particularly Benin) that is also widely practiced in Haiti and the Antilles. It is characterized by various rites of homage to the "Great Master" or good God who is the creator of the spirits responsible for protecting human beings. The great God and the sprits are identified with the Christian God and the saints of the Catholic Church. The calendar of Voodoo feast imitates that of Christian worship.

Voodoo ceremonies consist of rituals invoking the spirits and the great God and are marked by drums and songs accompanying an animal sacrifice. The rite culminates in a trance in which a ritual dancer is thought to be possessed by a divinity. Ceremonies are conducted by a man (hungan), or a woman (mambo), who are often knowledgeable about witchcraft as well.
January 20th, 2009: Rick Warren gives President Obama's inaugural prayer. Warren's invocation began with a fundamental Jewish prayer that declares the 'Lord is one.' He also alluded to a description of God as the 'compassionate and merciful' one that opens almost every chapter of the Quran, said historian R.B. Bernstein, who teaches at New York Law School. Warren concluded with the Lord's Prayer. Source: USA Today.
January 20th, 2009: Rick Warren gives President Obama's inaugural prayer.

Warren's invocation began with a fundamental Jewish prayer that declares the "Lord is one." He also alluded to a description of God as the "compassionate and merciful" one that opens almost every chapter of the Quran, said historian R.B. Bernstein, who teaches at New York Law School. Warren concluded with the Lord's Prayer.

Source: USA Today.
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Sasha and Malia, tour the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 19, 2011. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Sasha and Malia, tour the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 19, 2011.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama take part in the Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony in the East Room of the White House, December 2, 2010. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama take part in the Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony in the East Room of the White House, December 2, 2010.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama mark the beginning of Passover with a Jewish Seder in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House, April 18, 2011. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama mark the beginning of Passover with a Jewish Seder in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House, April 18, 2011.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Malia and Sasha attend Easter church service at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., Sunday, April 24, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Malia and Sasha attend Easter church service at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., Sunday, April 24, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama prays with Christian leaders in the Blue Room of the White House, prior to the Easter Prayer Breakfast, April 6, 2010. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
President Barack Obama prays with Christian leaders in the Blue Room of the White House, prior to the Easter Prayer Breakfast, April 6, 2010.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
President Barack Obama prays with co-chairs of the National Prayer Breakfast in the Oval Office, January 27, 2011. From left are: Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C.; Rep. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.; Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla.; former Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick; and Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
President Barack Obama prays with co-chairs of the National Prayer Breakfast in the Oval Office, January 27, 2011. From left are: Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C.; Rep. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.; Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla.; former Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick; and Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet young dancers at a Diwali candle lighting and performance at Holy Name High School in Mumbai, India, November 7, 2010. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet young dancers at a Diwali candle lighting and performance at Holy Name High School in Mumbai, India, November 7, 2010.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
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