Presented by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times

Abstract: In an era of information abundance (with AI tools like ChatGPT), it is paradoxical that many spiritual seekers remain in a narrow “tunnel vision” of their own sect. Just as diseases like glaucoma restrict physical sight, a closed religious outlook limits understanding. This essay argues that believers should broaden their horizons: a Muslim should learn from all schools of Islam, a Christian from all Christian traditions, and so on, and then reach beyond to other faiths. The Quran itself emphasizes universal guidance: “We sent Our messengers in succession… and there never was a nation but a warner had passed among them”islamqa.info. Likewise, the Vatican II Catechism affirms that “all goodness and truth found in [non‑Christian] religions” come from God and “prepare for the Gospel”chicagocatholic.com. In this spirit of unity-in-diversity, we will explore specific teachings from various sects of the major religions (Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, etc.) and from other traditions (Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, Zoroastrianism, Indigenous faiths). By learning from each other, believers can enrich their own path and heal the narrowness of tunnel vision.

The Age of AI and Spiritual Tunnel Vision

Today’s AI tools (like ChatGPT) can instantly provide perspectives from all over the world, yet we often use them to reinforce existing beliefs. Pope Francis warned against starting interfaith dialogue with “my religion is more important than yours…”, saying this leads only to “destruction”chicagocatholic.com. In contrast, the Pope affirmed that “all religions are paths to God” and “God is for everyone… we are all God’s children”chicagocatholic.com. This inclusive vision mirrors ancient scripture: the Quran tells humanity, “O people! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul…”quran.com, reminding us of our shared origin. In other words, modern technology can empower us to see the whole horizon of faith, but only if we choose to look beyond our own group. Otherwise we experience a spiritual tunnel vision – missing the peripheral wisdom that other traditions offer.

While technology changes, the call for unity is constant. As Islam teaches, prophets were sent to every nationislamqa.info. Even if the famous hadith (“124,000 prophets”) is debated by scholars, the Quranic promise (e.g. “never was there a nation but a warner had passed among them”islamqa.info) makes clear that guidance is universal. Thus a Muslim is encouraged to respect the prophets and lessons of other communities. Similarly, the Catholic Church teaches that all peoples form “one community” with a common destiny; it recognizes that “all goodness and truth found in these religions” comes from God and leads toward the Divinechicagocatholic.com. In today’s global age, these insights invite us to open our hearts: AI can provide the doorway, but the seeker must walk through it.

Learning from One’s Own Tradition and Sects

True wisdom often begins with deepening one’s own faith. Within each religion there are diverse schools and interpretations. For example, in Islam the Sunni, Shia, Ibadi, and Sufi traditions each emphasize different aspects of the faith. Yet all Muslims revere the Qur’an and the Prophet’s example. The Quran itself encourages learning wherever it is found: the Prophet said, “Seek knowledge even if you have to go as far as China,” meaning we should pursue all beneficial wisdomcpsglobal.org. In fact, as one scholar explains, “every form of knowledge is knowledge – anything that has wisdom and is useful, must be learnt”cpsglobal.org. This broad pursuit is not limited to religious sciences; it includes ethics, history, philosophy, and even insights from other cultures. For a Muslim this means studying both Hanafi and Shafi‘i jurisprudence, listening to both Ash‘ari and Athari theology, and exploring mystical Sufi insights – because each sect carries pearls of truth. Even within Shi‘a Islam, understanding Sunni viewpoints (and vice versa) can strengthen one’s own faith by learning how fellow Muslims approach the same Qur’an and Hadith texts.

Christians likewise benefit from exploring their internal diversity. A Catholic might study Orthodox liturgy or Protestant exegesis; a Protestant might learn from Catholic social teaching or Anglican tradition. The core message of Christ – love of God and neighbor – is expressed in all. Jesus’ Golden Rule captures this shared truth: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you…” (Matthew 7:12)biblestudytools.com, and he taught the new commandment “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34)biblestudytools.com. These teachings are echoed in the Old Testament law: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”en.wikipedia.org (Leviticus 19:18), a commandment central to all Jewish and Christian ethics. By studying how different Christian denominations interpret these principles – whether through the sacraments of Catholicism, the scripture-and-faith emphasis of Evangelicals, or the icon-laden mysticism of Orthodoxy – a believer can gain a fuller picture of Christ’s message.

Buddhists also come in many sects (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, Zen, etc.), each with its own texts and practices. Yet all honor the Buddha’s fundamental insights: that suffering comes from attachment, and compassion to all beings is the path to liberation. A classic Buddhist formulation of the Golden Rule is “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” This is found in texts like the Dhammapada: “One who, seeking happiness for himself, oppresses with violence other beings also desiring happiness, will not attain happiness”en.wikipedia.org, and the Udanavarga: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful”en.wikipedia.org. By exploring both Theravada ethics and Mahayana ideals (such as the Bodhisattva’s vow to save all beings), a Buddhist can appreciate how universal compassion transcends sectarian labels.

Judaism, too, has Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and other branches. All share the Hebrew Scriptures and traditions, and values like tikkun olam (repairing the world) and justice. The Torah command “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”en.wikipedia.org is a unifying principle. Studying Midrash or Talmud in different communities (Israeli Orthodox vs. American Reform, for example) can reveal diverse interpretations of the same mitzvah. A Jew learning from all sects will see how various rabbis grapple with modernity while rooted in the same love of God and Torah.

In Hinduism, the threads of dharma (duty/righteousness) run through many strands: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, etc. Yet the Rig Veda proclaims a vision of unity: “The truth is one; the wise call it by various names.” This ancient mantrahindu-blog.com reminds Hindus that many gods or paths are ultimately expressions of the same divine reality. Thus a Hindu might learn from Advaita (nondual) Vedanta, Bhakti (devotional) saints like Ramanuja, and Yoga philosophy alike. Each tradition offers practices (mantra, ritual, meditation) and teachings (karma, moksha) that enrich the whole. Vedantic sages, for instance, emphasize the eternal Self: “Thou art That” (Aham Brahmasmi) – which complements the more personal deity focus of Bhakti saints. By embracing all Hindu sects, one gains a fuller spiritual toolkit.

To summarize: each major religion contains a diversity of schools, but their core messages often converge. By diligently studying even the “other side” of one’s own faith, a believer practices humility (recognizing the limits of one’s perspective) and deepens understanding. The Quran’s encouragement of knowledge-seekingcpsglobal.org applies here: it is obligatory to gain wisdom, no matter the source, as long as it brings one closer to truth.

Learning from Other Faiths and Traditions

Beyond one’s own religion, there is a vast treasury of wisdom in other faiths. In interfaith circles, people discover that many spiritual paths emphasize similar virtues, even if cultural practices differ. Consider these examples:

• Confucianism (China): The sage Confucius taught reciprocity: “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others.” In the Analects (15:24) he says, “Zi Gong asked if there is one word that could guide a person throughout life. The Master replied: ‘How about shu? – never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself.’”en.wikipedia.org. This negative formulation of the Golden Rule highlights compassion and social harmony. Confucian virtue (仁, ren) calls for benevolence toward family and community. A person steeped in these teachings learns respect for elders, duty, and sincerity – values that complement many religious ethics.
• Taoism (China): The Tao Te Ching counsels humility and naturalness. For example, Lao Tzu says: “The sage has no interest of his own but takes the interests of the people as his own. He is kind to the kind; he is also kind to the unkind: for Virtue is kind.”en.wikipedia.org. Another Taoist text (the T’ai Shang Classic) advises: “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.”en.wikipedia.org. Taoist harmony (和, he) and simplicity can inspire believers of any faith to seek balance and kindness in daily life, beyond ritual observance.
• Shinto (Japan): Indigenous Shinto spirituality venerates kami (spirits) in nature and ancestry. Shinto teaching has no dogmatic creed but emphasizes living in wa (harmony) with the world. For Shinto devotees, every mountain, river, and ancestor shrine reflects the sacred. This perspective encourages respect for nature (“kami of the sea,” “kami of the rice fields”) and for one’s ancestors. In practice, a believer of any background can learn from Shinto to value the spiritual dimension of the natural world and to practice ritual purification and gratitude. (As one scholar notes, if we could define Shinto broadly it would be “belief in kami,” or the way of the spiritsen.wikipedia.org.)
• Zoroastrianism (Persia): The prophet Zoroaster distilled ethics into three simple precepts: Humata, Hukhta, Huvarsta – “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.” This code appears in the Avesta and later Pahlavi prayersiranicaonline.org. Zoroastrianism also teaches that Ahura Mazda (the highest God) is Truth, and humans must choose righteousness (Asha) over falsehood (Druj). From this faith one learns absolute responsibility: every thought and action has cosmic consequence. Non-Zoroastrians can adopt “good thoughts, words, and deeds” as a universal motto for ethical living.
• Aboriginal Spiritualities (Australia, Americas, etc.): Indigenous traditions often emphasize the interconnectedness of all life. In Australian Aboriginal “Dreamtime” mythology, the ancestors’ creative journeys link people to the land and each other across time. One anthropologist notes that entering Dreamtime makes a person “feel no separation between themselves and their ancestors,” overcoming the “limitations of time and space”en.wikipedia.org. Many Native American faiths similarly view the earth as sacred and alive. Such indigenous worldviews teach that every action reverberates through the web of life. Learning from them can inspire humility, care for the environment, and a sense of belonging to one great community.

Across these diverse traditions, certain themes emerge repeatedly: compassion, humility, truth, and unity. The Golden Rule appears in Christianitybiblestudytools.com, Judaismen.wikipedia.org, Islam (e.g. Prophet Muhammad said he is “like a brother” to his people), Buddhismen.wikipedia.org, Confucianismen.wikipedia.org, Hinduism (the Mahabharata states “do nothing to your neighbor that you would not want done to yourself”), and many others. Rig Veda proclaims, “The truth is one; the wise call it by various names”hindu-blog.com, an explicit affirmation of religious pluralism. These convergent truths show that no single tradition has a monopoly on spiritual insight.

Importantly, the digital age and AI make it easier than ever to learn these teachings. One can ask ChatGPT about scripture or listen to a Hindu mandir live online. But technology itself is neutral; it is up to the learner to be open. If we approach religious knowledge as “human knowledge”, as Maulana Wahiduddin Khan suggestscpsglobal.org, we will benefit immensely. We should emulate those who built bridges, not walls, between faiths. In interfaith circles and dialogues, people discover that “all religions are paths to God”chicagocatholic.com rather than competitors.

Interfaith Circles and the Unity of Believers

Bringing these lessons together, many religious organizations now form interfaith councils and events to share wisdom. The Parliament of World Religions and local interfaith groups foster dialogue and joint service. Participants begin by acknowledging the Quranic principle that “a warner (prophet) had passed among every nation”islamqa.info and the Christian principle that all people are God’s childrenchicagocatholic.com. In practice, a Muslim in an interfaith circle can share Zakat (charity) principles alongside a Hindu’s concept of dana, or a Christian can discuss agape love alongside a Buddhist’s metta (loving-kindness). They find common ground: caring for the poor, seeking justice, cultivating inner peace. As Pope Francis invoked Lumen Gentium, he reminded us that “whoever does good and is truly righteous… will attain salvation” even outside explicit faith, because God’s mercy and guidance are universalchicagocatholic.com.

Each tradition also enriches others with its unique gifts. Muslims, for example, revere Jesus as a prophet and can learn from Christian art and meditation on his teachings. Christians can learn from Islamic practices of daily prayer (salat) or fasting (sawm) to deepen their own discipline. Buddhists’ mindfulness techniques can benefit Jewish or Muslim contemplatives, and vice versa learning about joyous festivals (Eid, Easter, Diwali) can inspire gratitude. When religions dialogue, each may quote its own scripture but hear echoes of one universal truth: “There is only one God, and all of us are His children”chicagocatholic.com.

In such interfaith circles, citing scriptures helps persuade skeptics. For instance, someone might recall the Qur’an’s invitation: “We have sent you (Muhammad) with the truth as bearer of good news and warner. And never was there a nation but a warner had passed among them”islamqa.info. Or a Christian might quote Jesus: “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you”biblestudytools.com as the summation of the Law. A Hindu might recall that ancient Vedic mantra on unityhindu-blog.com. These citations build a case: our wisdom is not parochial but shared.

The result of such openness is profound. As we expand our spiritual periphery, the walls between “us” and “them” dissolve. We begin to see the sacred tapestry of human faith, woven with threads from every culture. AI can be the loom, offering threads from distant corners of the world; but the weaver is the human heart choosing to include them. In the end, we remain rooted in our own tradition, but our understanding deepens when we recognize that every tradition points toward the same ultimate reality.

Epilogue: Toward a Universal Vision

Like stars emerging from darkness, diverse teachings illuminate one underlying truth. The Prophet Muhammad’s motto – to “choose that which is best, and remain safe in the shadow of it” – can be applied across faiths. Indeed, many sages have said something similar: St. Francis of Assisi prayed for unity, and Swami Vivekananda declared, “They alone live who live for others”. The Quran’s example of universal prophecyislamqa.info and Quran 4:1’s reminder that all people share one soulquran.com echo this: we are one human family.

In this AI age, with ChatGPT and a world of knowledge at our fingertips, we have the opportunity — and the responsibility — to break out of spiritual tunnel vision. By studying all sects of our own religion and then venturing into others, we embody the wisdom of the ages. Confucius’ virtue of shu (reciprocity)en.wikipedia.org, the Tao’s kindnessen.wikipedia.org, the Buddhist compassion for all beingsen.wikipedia.org, the Judaic love of neighboren.wikipedia.org, the Hindu affirmation of one truthhindu-blog.com, and the Zoroastrian commitment to “good thoughts, good words, good deeds”iranicaonline.org – together these guideposts form a compass that points beyond division.

Let us, then, lift our gaze. Technology like AI can broaden the horizon, but only our willing hearts can do the seeing. If a Muslim learns from all Islamic schools and then from Christianity, Buddhism, and beyond (as the Quran and hadith encourage), and if others do likewise, we will move toward the unity that the Divine intended: all humanity as one community under one Creator. In that grand vision, no faith stands alone – every path is a school, every tradition a teacher – leading together toward the light of truth.

Sources: We have drawn on scriptures and teachings from many faiths to illustrate these pointsislamqa.infoquran.combiblestudytools.comen.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.orgiranicaonline.orgcpsglobal.orgchicagocatholic.comhindu-blog.com, which collectively affirm the unity and diversity of religious wisdom.

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