--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Religion is not an end in itself. One's…" description: "\"Religion is not an end in itself. One's union with God is the ultimate goal. There are so many religions because immature people tend to emphasize triv..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/peace-pilgrim-1191_creeds_religion-is-not-an-end-in-itself-one-s-u_1111978.png" --- # Religion is not an end in itself. One's union with God is… ![“Religion is not an end in itself. One's union with God is the ultimate goal. There are so many religions because immature people tend to emphasize trivial differences instead of important likenesses. Differences between faiths lie in creeds and rituals rather than in religious principles.” quote by Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/peace-pilgrim-1191_creeds_religion-is-not-an-end-in-itself-one-s-u_1111978.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/peace-pilgrim-1191_creeds_religion-is-not-an-end-in-itself-one-s-u_1111978.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/peace-pilgrim-1191_creeds_religion-is-not-an-end-in-itself-one-s-u_1111978.png) > “Religion is not an end in itself. One's union with God is the ultimate goal. There are so many religions because immature people tend to emphasize trivial differences instead of important likenesses. Differences between faiths lie in creeds and rituals rather than in religious principles.” [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that religions are means, not ends, emphasizing shared core principles over superficial differences. **In simple terms:** Religions are tools for unity, not final goals. Key Takeaway Focus on common values, not rituals. Themes tolerance spirituality unity Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - community building - interfaith conferences - personal reflection - education curricula Key Concepts interfaith dialogue shared ethics human commonality Questions to Reflect On - How can we honor distinct traditions while highlighting common ground? - What practical steps foster genuine interfaith respect? A Different Perspective It may overlook deep doctrinal convictions that shape identity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creeds/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Immature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immature/) [Immature people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immature-people/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Ritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ritual/) [Ultimate goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimate-goal/) [Unions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unions/) ## Related quotes > [Religion is not an end in itself. One's union with God is the ultimate goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/religion-is-not-an-end-in-itself-one-s-union-with-god-is-the-ultimate-2/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [But despite these differences, so many of our faiths and traditions are rooted in the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-mehlman/but-despite-these-differences-so-many-of-our-faiths-and-traditions/) [Ken Mehlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-mehlman/) > [The final goal of all religions is to realise the essential oneness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/the-final-goal-of-all-religions-is-to-realise-the-essential-oneness/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [I think Australians are rightly suspicious of people who will try and use religion for another end. I don't think that's right and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-costello/i-think-australians-are-rightly-suspicious-of-people-who-will-try-and/) [Peter Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-costello/) > [“Religion became an end, rather than a means, a substitute for God. Until alcoholism intervened and forced the issue: God, or religion? – p. 125”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-a/religion-became-an-end-rather-than-a-means-a-substitute-for-god-until/) [Ray A](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-a/) > [When the masses become better informed about science, they will feel less need for help form supernatural Higher Powers. The need for religion will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesc-ferrer-i-guardia/when-the-masses-become-better-informed-about-science-they-will-feel/) [Francesc Ferrer i Guardia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesc-ferrer-i-guardia/) > [Anything is depressing if you dwell on it. The fact that religion could end the world? Yeah, I guess that could be considered depressing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/anything-is-depressing-if-you-dwell-on-it-the-fact-that-religion/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [Organized religions in general, in my opinion, are dying forms. They were all very important when we didn't know why the sun moved, why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-willis/organized-religions-in-general-in-my-opinion-are-dying-forms-they/) [Bruce Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-willis/) > [“Never mix business with religion, or you might end up losing your testimony when the business agreement is no longer something you or Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/never-mix-business-with-religion-or-you-might-end-up-losing-your/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [I'm a hardened atheist but I feel that we have an inbuilt need for God. If you eradicate religion, you end up with something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-trigell/i-m-a-hardened-atheist-but-i-feel-that-we-have-an-inbuilt-need-for/) [Jonathan Trigell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-trigell/) > [“Emotionally immature people often have difficulty engaging in humor in ways that strengthen bonds with others. Instead, they push humor on others, even when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-c-gibson/emotionally-immature-people-often-have-difficulty-engaging-in-humor/) [Lindsay C. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-c-gibson/) > [“A mature person has the integrity to be alone. And when a mature person gives love, he gives without any strings attached to it:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/a-mature-person-has-the-integrity-to-be-alone-and-when-a-mature/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [Immature people deal with their problems by cutting people off. Mature people try try to solve their problems via communication..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/immature-people-deal-with-their-problems-by-cutting-people-off-mature/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Immature people always want to win arguments even at the cost of a relationship. Mature people prefer losing an argument just to uphold a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/immature-people-always-want-to-win-arguments-even-at-the-cost-of-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some people fail to realize that there will always be those immature people who like to see you down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylon-hillsman/some-people-fail-to-realize-that-there-will-always-be-those-immature/) [Jaylon Hillsman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylon-hillsman/) ## More by Peace Pilgrim > [The motive, if you are to find inner peace, must be an outgoing motive. Service, of course-service. Giving, not getting. Your motive must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/the-motive-if-you-are-to-find-inner-peace-must-be-an-outgoing-motive/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [Knowing that all things contrary to God's laws are transient, let us avoid despair and radiate hope for a warless world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/knowing-that-all-things-contrary-to-god-s-laws-are-transient-let-us/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [I wish that every child could have growing space because I think children are a little like plants. If they grow too close together,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/i-wish-that-every-child-could-have-growing-space-because-i-think/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [All of us can work for peace. We can work right where we are, right within ourselves, because the more peace we have within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/all-of-us-can-work-for-peace-we-can-work-right-where-we-are-right/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [As I lived up to the highest light I had, higher and higher light came to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/as-i-lived-up-to-the-highest-light-i-had-higher-and-higher-light-came/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [If you realize that those who do mean things are psychologically ill, your feelings of anger will turn to feelings of pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/if-you-realize-that-those-who-do-mean-things-are-psychologically-ill/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [If you give your life as a prayer, you intensify the prayer beyond all measure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/if-you-give-your-life-as-a-prayer-you-intensify-the-prayer-beyond-all/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [If we fear nothing and radiate love, we can expect good things to come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/if-we-fear-nothing-and-radiate-love-we-can-expect-good-things-to-come/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [Be willing to face life squarely and get down beneath the surface of life where the verities and realities are to be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/be-willing-to-face-life-squarely-and-get-down-beneath-the-surface-of/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [When societies are out of harmony, problems develop within the society - collective problems. Their purpose is to push the whole society toward harmony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/when-societies-are-out-of-harmony-problems-develop-within-the-society/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [Unnecessary possessions are unnecessary burdens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/unnecessary-possessions-are-unnecessary-burdens/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [When you feel the need for a spiritual lift, try getting to bed early and get up early to have a quiet time at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/when-you-feel-the-need-for-a-spiritual-lift-try-getting-to-bed-early/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [This is the way of peace: Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/this-is-the-way-of-peace-overcome-evil-with-good-falsehood-with-truth/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [For light I go directly to the Source of light, not to any of the reflections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/for-light-i-go-directly-to-the-source-of-light-not-to-any-of-the/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [I would like to mention some preparations that were required of me. The first preparation is to take a right attitude toward life. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/i-would-like-to-mention-some-preparations-that-were-required-of-me/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) [Explore all 276 Peace Pilgrim quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) ## More Creeds quotes > [Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. With this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/life-appears-to-me-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [When indeed shall we learn that we are all related one to the other, that we are all members of one body? Until the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/when-indeed-shall-we-learn-that-we-are-all-related-one-to-the-other/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [But there are times when men have serious thoughts, and it is at such times, when they begin to think, that they begin to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/but-there-are-times-when-men-have-serious-thoughts-and-it-is-at-such/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [As in the instances of alchemy, astrology, witchcraft, and other such popular creeds, political economy, has a plausible idea at the root of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/as-in-the-instances-of-alchemy-astrology-witchcraft-and-other-such/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [People frequently ask me why I devote so much time to seeking out facts about man’s past…the past shows clearly that we all have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-leakey/people-frequently-ask-me-why-i-devote-so-much-time-to-seeking-out/) [Louis Leakey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-leakey/) > [As men's habits of mind differ, so that some more readily embrace one form of faith, some another, for what moves one to pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/as-men-s-habits-of-mind-differ-so-that-some-more-readily-embrace-one/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [... what we should be looking for is fresh ideas of how we make moral decisions about our dealings with one another, economic, social,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-mccaughey/what-we-should-be-looking-for-is-fresh-ideas-of-how-we-make-moral/) Davis McCaughey > [The history of woman is the history of the continued and universal oppression of one sex by the other. The emancipation of woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-celeste-claflin/the-history-of-woman-is-the-history-of-the-continued-and-universal/) [Tennessee Celeste Claflin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-celeste-claflin/) > [Hinduism... gave itself no name, because it set itself no sectarian limits; it claimed no universal adhesion, asserted no sole infallible dogma, set up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/hinduism-gave-itself-no-name-because-it-set-itself-no-sectarian/) [Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/) > [Vanity Fair has but two major articles in its editorial creed: first, to believe in the progress and promise of American life, and, second,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-crowninshield/vanity-fair-has-but-two-major-articles-in-its-editorial-creed-first/) [Frank Crowninshield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-crowninshield/) > [I believe in an America where the rights that I have described are enjoyed by all, regardless of their race or their creed or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/i-believe-in-an-america-where-the-rights-that-i-have-described-are/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [I questioned the faithful of all communions; I particularly sought the society of clergymen, who are the depositories of the various creeds and have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-questioned-the-faithful-of-all-communions-i-particularly-sought-the/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [No union exists between church and state, and perfect freedom of opinion is guaranteed to all sects and creeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-k-polk/no-union-exists-between-church-and-state-and-perfect-freedom-of/) [James K. Polk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-k-polk/) > [The doctrine of eternal punishment is in perfect harmony with the savagery of the men who made the orthodox creeds. It is in harmony…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/the-doctrine-of-eternal-punishment-is-in-perfect-harmony-with-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Political and social justice requires, not the disintegration of a country and destruction or humiliation of a class which shows initiative, intelligence and drive,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syama-prasad-mukherjee/political-and-social-justice-requires-not-the-disintegration-of-a/) [Syama Prasad Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syama-prasad-mukherjee/) [Browse all 730 Creeds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creeds/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Religion is not an end in itself. One's union with God is the ultimate goal. There are so many religions because immature people tend to emphasize trivial differences instead of important likenesses. Differences between faiths lie in creeds and rituals rather than in religious principles.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Peace Pilgrim" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/religion-is-not-an-end-in-itself-one-s-union-with-god-is-the-ultimate/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Creeds" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/religion-is-not-an-end-in-itself-one-s-union-with-god-is-the-ultimate/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/peace-pilgrim-1191_creeds_religion-is-not-an-end-in-itself-one-s-u_1111978.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/peace-pilgrim-1191_creeds_religion-is-not-an-end-in-itself-one-s-u_1111978.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/peace-pilgrim-1191_creeds_religion-is-not-an-end-in-itself-one-s-u_1111978.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Religion is not an end in itself. One's union with God is the ultimate goal. There are so many religions…” — Peace Pilgrim", "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": "Peace Pilgrim", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Religion is not an end in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/religion-is-not-an-end-in-itself-one-s-union-with-god-is-the-ultimate/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/religion-is-not-an-end-in-itself-one-s-union-with-god-is-the-ultimate/#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 } } ] } ```