Nowhere is this truer than in the field of spirituality. We can no longer afford to emphasize our differences in matters of faith, to differentiate ourselves from the followers of other saviors, other gods, or other beliefs. All of these differences must be transcended. They must be seen for what they are—different articulations of the One Truth designed to suit the needs of the people and times to whom they were given.

Underlying all faiths are a few basic, simple principles—the sanctity of life, the presence of a higher intelligence that creates and sustains the world, and the importance of love and compassion in our relationships with each other. These are the high points, the ideals around which we build our lives, our communities, and our nations.

Whether we call that which is bigger than we are “God,” or some other name, such as democracy, science, or freedom, the effect is the same. As we submit to a higher principle, we see ourselves less as a separate entity and more as a part of a unified whole.