--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In principle the great religions of the…" description: "\"In principle the great religions of the world do not differ as much as they appear to.\" — Ernest Holmes" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9af/ernest-holmes-2229_religion_in-principle-the-great-religions-of-the_1198750.png" --- # In principle the great religions of the world do not… ![“In principle the great religions of the world do not differ as much as they appear to.” quote by Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9af/ernest-holmes-2229_religion_in-principle-the-great-religions-of-the_1198750.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9af/ernest-holmes-2229_religion_in-principle-the-great-religions-of-the_1198750.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9af/ernest-holmes-2229_religion_in-principle-the-great-religions-of-the_1198750.png) > “In principle the great religions of the world do not differ as much as they appear to.” [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Great world religions share core similarities despite apparent differences. **In simple terms:** World religions are fundamentally similar. Key Takeaway Recognize common spiritual foundations. Themes religion unity spirituality commonality Mood reflective optimistic Type philosophical interfaith When to use this quote - interfaith services - academic courses - peacebuilding initiatives - personal meditation Key Concepts Interfaith dialogue philosophical inquiry humanism Questions to Reflect On - What shared values unite religions? - How can we bridge doctrinal gaps? A Different Perspective Differences can still cause conflict. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religions/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [All the religions of the world, while they may differ in other respects, unitedly proclaim that nothing lives in this world but Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/all-the-religions-of-the-world-while-they-may-differ-in-other/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [There are a score of great religions in the world, each with scores or hundreds of sects, each with its priestly orders, its complicated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/upton-sinclair/there-are-a-score-of-great-religions-in-the-world-each-with-scores-or/) [Upton Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/upton-sinclair/) > [“There are no longer any gods whom we can invoke to help us. The great religions of the world suffer from increasing anemia, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-g-jung/there-are-no-longer-any-gods-whom-we-can-invoke-to-help-us-the-great/) [C.G. Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-g-jung/) > [I believe in the fundamental truth of all great religions of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-believe-in-the-fundamental-truth-of-all-great-religions-of-the-world/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [The basis of world peace is the teaching which runs through almost all the great religions of the world. Love thy neighbor as thyself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/the-basis-of-world-peace-is-the-teaching-which-runs-through-almost/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) > [ \[Giving\] is the essence of the great religions of the world - whether you are discussing the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or Christian religion. It… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/giving-is-the-essence-of-the-great-religions-of-the-world-whether-you/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [The best friends in the world may differ sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/the-best-friends-in-the-world-may-differ-sometimes/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [One thing that does confuse me, is that there are more religions in this world than ever, yet there's only sup­posed to be one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ozzy-osbourne/one-thing-that-does-confuse-me-is-that-there-are-more-religions-in/) [Ozzy Osbourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ozzy-osbourne/) > [Too much religions in the world too much little peace .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mly-ab/too-much-religions-in-the-world-too-much-little-peace/) MLY AB > [Aggression and forced redistribution of wealth has nothing to do with the teachings of the world's great religions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/aggression-and-forced-redistribution-of-wealth-has-nothing-to-do-with/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [I agree with those who argue that it is possible to distil from the religions of the world their common values and relevance. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/i-agree-with-those-who-argue-that-it-is-possible-to-distil-from-the/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [I don't think it is given to any of us to be impertinent to great religions with impunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-le-carre/i-don-t-think-it-is-given-to-any-of-us-to-be-impertinent-to-great/) [John le Carre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-le-carre/) > [All the religions of the world describe God pre-eminently as the Friend of the friendless, Help of the helpless, and Protector of the weak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/all-the-religions-of-the-world-describe-god-pre-eminently-as-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [There is far more misunderstanding of Islam than there is, I think, of the other religions of the world. So many things are said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/there-is-far-more-misunderstanding-of-islam-than-there-is-i-think-of/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [Religions are different roads converging on the same point. What does it matter that we take different roads so long as we reach the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/religions-are-different-roads-converging-on-the-same-point-what-does/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) ## More by Ernest Holmes > [The great spiritual geniuses, whether it was Moses, Buddha, Plato, Socrates, Jesus, or Emerson… have taught man to look within himself to find God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/the-great-spiritual-geniuses-whether-it-was-moses-buddha-plato/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [The road to freedom lies not through mysteries or occult performances, but through the intelligent use of natural forces and laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/the-road-to-freedom-lies-not-through-mysteries-or-occult-performances/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [The Apostle John said, " Beloved, now we are the sons of God." He didn't say by and by we are going to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/the-apostle-john-said-beloved-now-we-are-the-sons-of-god-he-didn-t/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [Prepare your mind to recieve the best that life has to offer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/prepare-your-mind-to-recieve-the-best-that-life-has-to-offer/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [Begin where you are. It would be unscientific to begin anywhere else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/begin-where-you-are-it-would-be-unscientific-to-begin-anywhere-else/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [“Knowledge is of the intellect; wisdom and understanding are of the heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/knowledge-is-of-the-intellect-wisdom-and-understanding-are-of-the/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [Today I do affirm that I am Divinely guided...There is that within which knows what to do and how to do it, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/today-i-do-affirm-that-i-am-divinely-guided-there-is-that-within/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [Fear brings failure; faith brings success. It's just that simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/fear-brings-failure-faith-brings-success-it-s-just-that-simple/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [Each one should realize there is nothing in (us) which denies that which (we) desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/each-one-should-realize-there-is-nothing-in-us-which-denies-that/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [The universal Mind contains all knowledge. It is the potential ultimate of all things. To it, all things are possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/the-universal-mind-contains-all-knowledge-it-is-the-potential/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [What you are looking for is what you are looking with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/what-you-are-looking-for-is-what-you-are-looking-with/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [Definitely I know that every negative condition of the past is cleared away from my consciousness. I no longer think about it, see it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/definitely-i-know-that-every-negative-condition-of-the-past-is/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [“Confronted with unhappiness, I will unmask it also by seeing through this false face to the true countenance of joy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/confronted-with-unhappiness-i-will-unmask-it-also-by-seeing-through/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [That which distinguishes the new thought from the old is not a denial of this Divine Reality, but an affirmation of its immediate availability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/that-which-distinguishes-the-new-thought-from-the-old-is-not-a-denial/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [Our vision is beclouded and the pathway of our progress is obstructed until we come to know that god can and does express as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/our-vision-is-beclouded-and-the-pathway-of-our-progress-is-obstructed/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) [Explore all 178 Ernest Holmes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) ## More Religion quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [The love religion is all that is written here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/the-love-religion-is-all-that-is-written-here/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [No religion has mandated killing others as a requirement for its sustenance or promotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-religion-has-mandated-killing-others-as-a-requirement-for-its/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-goal-of-spiritual-practice-is-full-recovery-and-the-only-thing/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Deepen your existing spiritual commitment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/deepen-your-existing-spiritual-commitment/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [But I already saw no great difference between the psyche and spirituality. To amass knowledge without becoming wise is not my idea of progress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-scott-peck/but-i-already-saw-no-great-difference-between-the-psyche-and/) [M. Scott Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-scott-peck/) > [Above Coblentz almost every mountain has a ruin and a legend. One feels everywhere the spirit of the past, and its stirring recollections come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bayard-taylor/above-coblentz-almost-every-mountain-has-a-ruin-and-a-legend-one/) [Bayard Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bayard-taylor/) [Browse all 58,737 Religion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In principle the great religions of the world do not differ as much as they appear to.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ernest Holmes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/in-principle-the-great-religions-of-the-world-do-not-differ-as-much/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Religion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/in-principle-the-great-religions-of-the-world-do-not-differ-as-much/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9af/ernest-holmes-2229_religion_in-principle-the-great-religions-of-the_1198750.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9af/ernest-holmes-2229_religion_in-principle-the-great-religions-of-the_1198750.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9af/ernest-holmes-2229_religion_in-principle-the-great-religions-of-the_1198750.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In principle the great religions of the world do not differ as much as they appear to.” — Ernest Holmes", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ernest Holmes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In principle the great religions of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/in-principle-the-great-religions-of-the-world-do-not-differ-as-much/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/in-principle-the-great-religions-of-the-world-do-not-differ-as-much/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```