If your religion is better than mine and your opinion, you have a

"If your religion is better than mine and your opinion, you have a real problem." - Michael Berryman.

This statement cuts deep into the heart of human pride and perception, challenging one of our most sacred beliefs: that our way is the right way. The notion that one person’s religion, opinion, or belief can hold superiority over another is an age-old conflict. From the beginning of time, humanity has been divided by its differences in faith, philosophy, and worldviews. But this quote offers a harsh truth: when you elevate your beliefs above others, you risk falling into the trap of hubris, losing the humility that is necessary for true wisdom.

Throughout history, we have seen the destructive consequences of believing that one belief system is inherently superior to another. The Crusades, a series of religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims, serve as a tragic example. Men and women marched off to war with the belief that their faith was the one true path, that their God was the supreme deity, and that all others must bow to it. This battle of ideologies led to countless lives lost, with little to show for it other than division and resentment. Pride in one’s belief system often blinds the mind to the greater truths of compassion, mutual respect, and understanding.

There is a deeply embedded human instinct to seek validation for one’s beliefs. It is an instinct that tells us, “I am right, and others must follow." Yet, in doing so, we create walls where bridges should be. The true strength of any religion or belief lies not in proclaiming its superiority but in understanding its core teachings. Every faith, whether it be Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, or any other, has at its heart the message of compassion, peace, and human connection. To elevate one over another is to forget the purpose of those teachings and instead embrace separatism and alienation.

One powerful story of religious humility comes from the life of Mahatma Gandhi, whose philosophy of non-violence transcended the boundaries of any one religion. As a Hindu, he respected the teachings of Christianity, Islam, and other faiths, understanding that at the core of all of them was a call for love and peace. Gandhi’s message was not about the superiority of one religion over another, but about the shared humanity in all people, regardless of faith. He believed that true wisdom was found not in fighting for dominance but in learning from one another, in building bridges of understanding, and in seeing the sacred in all people.

Michael Berryman’s quote thus reminds us that when we place our beliefs above the basic tenets of compassion and respect, we are no longer pursuing truth but a false sense of righteousness. The quote urges us to reflect on our actions, to see that our beliefs do not make us better than others, but rather part of the divine tapestry of diverse human experience. To assume that our way is the only way is to ignore the greater mystery of life, which cannot be contained in any one tradition or belief system.

The lesson here is one of humility. We must be careful not to confuse personal conviction with universal truth. Opinions are powerful, yes, but they are merely individual interpretations of the world. No one opinion holds the absolute answer to the mysteries of life, death, and the universe. Instead of forcing our truth upon others, we should strive to honor and understand the truths that others hold dear. Only then can we transcend the petty divisions of belief that have plagued humanity for centuries.

Practical actions arise from this realization. Let us be aware of our judgments of others, especially when it comes to their beliefs. In conversations, let us be mindful to listen more than we speak, to seek understanding before declaring superiority. When faced with someone whose beliefs differ from ours, we should ask ourselves: What can I learn from them? What wisdom lies in the differences we hold? By adopting this mindset, we not only become wiser but also contribute to a more peaceful and united world.

Thus, as we pass on these teachings, let us remember: true wisdom is not in proving our beliefs superior, but in understanding the beauty of the diverse truths that others hold. And in doing so, we make the world a richer, more compassionate place for all.