Mehran Shahmiri

My Understanding of Religions

A Note on Humility

I am 21 years old. I have not experienced life fully yet. I have not seen extraordinary success or devastating failure. I am not a saint. I am not enlightened. I am simply a person trying to understand the world and its many belief systems.

This blog post represents my personal understanding at this stage of my life. I deeply respect all religious traditions and their followers. I am not trying to prove anyone wrong or diminish any faith. I am only sharing my current perspective, knowing that it may evolve as I continue to learn and grow.

My Journey: From Atheism to “Finding God”

From around the age of twelve, I identified as an atheist. I was deeply interested in science and I used to watch a lot of scientific videos and TV channels, and I preferd logical explanations above everything else. Naturally, this led me to conclude that God did not exist. I am not sure whether I truly believed this or not. It could have been because it was a cool thing to say as a kid. 

Everything changed when I was about eighteen.

A personal experience, small and insignificant to others, left me feeling genuinely helpless for the first time in my life. I needed hope. I needed meaning. I needed something beyond myself.

Looking back, I now believe that much of what people seek in God is hope. And I need hope. Which is what pushed me to begin reading, studying, and reflecting on religion and spirituality. Although, I could say the whole concept of God is just hope. But that’s a topic for another day.

Why am I writing this?

Well firstly because I thought why not? I have this thought. I am just putting it out there. And I am not disrespecting any religion or faith or any individual. So why not? Maybe someone will like this? You know, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. 

Secondly, and more importantly, as we all know every major religion teaches peace, compassion, and moral responsibility. Yet we humans are far far far away from peace. 

How can traditions built on love and truth produce so much conflict?

Looking Beyond Religious Labels and Languages

On the surface, religions appear radically different.

• Christianity speaks of the Trinity.
• Hinduism is often described as polytheistic with so many Gods.
• Islam is about absolute monotheism.
• Judaism is about absolute monotheism.

Because of these visible differences, many people assume these traditions are incompatible.

But when I looked into it (I am optimistic so I see things from a positive POV), I began to notice similarities: beneath different stories, rituals, symbols and languages, the same patterns kept appearing.

Different languages. Different metaphors. Different cultures.

But the same root.

Comparative Analysis: Core Theological Concepts

Aspect	Hinduism	Christianity	Islam	Judaism
Ultimate Reality / God	Brahman (Ultimate Reality behind all forms)	One God (Trinity: Father, Son, Spirit)	Allah (Absolute One)	YHWH (One God)
Nature of God	One reality, many forms	One essence, three forms	One, indivisible	One, indivisible
Public Perception	Polytheistic	Sometimes seen as polytheistic	Strictly monotheistic	Strictly monotheistic
Internal Understanding	Many devtas and devis are forms/avatars of One	Trinity = One God, three forms	Tawhid: Absolute Oneness	One God without partners
Intermediary Beings	Devtas, Devis	Angels	Angels (Malaika)	Angels (Malakhim)
Evil Beings	Asuras, Rakshasas	Fallen angels, Satan	Shayateen, Iblis/fallen angel	Satan, adversarial spirits
Prophets / Messengers	Rishis, Avatars	Prophets, including Jesus and Moses	Prophets, including Jesus, Moses, Muhammad	Prophets, including Moses
Sacred Language	Sanskrit	Hebrew / Greek / Latin	Arabic	Hebrew
Translation Complexity	High	High	High	High
Core Message	Dharma, unity, truth	Love God, love others	Worship One God	Obey One God
Goal of Life	Moksha (liberation)	Salvation	Jannah (Paradise)	Olam Ha-Ba (World to Come)
View of Humanity	Part of Brahman	Created by God	Servants of God	Chosen responsibility
Ethical Focus	Karma, duty	Love, forgiveness	Justice, submission	Law, righteousness

Understanding Traditions Beyond Misconceptions

Hinduism: One Reality, Many Forms

Hinduism is not simply about many gods. Many Hindus believe in one ultimate reality called Brahman. The gods and goddesses are often seen as different forms of that one reality.

Since I understand Hindi, I can also say that the words devta and devi do not directly translate to “God,” if God is understood as the creator. They usually refer to powerful divine beings. For example, Hanuman is considered a devta (a powerful deity) and, in some traditions, a form or avatar of Lord Vishnu, I think. (If you know more about this, please correct me.) In this sense, we can say that Hanuman is not God, but a devta.

I am not stating this as a fact, and I am not trying to create controversy. I am just trying to make a point.

Christianity: One God, Three  Forms

Christianity believes in one God. The Trinity is not three gods; it is one God expressed in three forms. This is often misunderstood by many.

Again, I am only trying to make a point here. Christianity has a Trinity similar, in structure, to Hinduism’s Trinity, the Trimurti. The Hindu Trimurti and the Christian Trinity share a numerical, triadic structure, but they differ fundamentally.

The Trimurti consists of Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver), and Shiva (Destroyer), three distinct and often separate functions or gods. The Christian Trinity consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God existing as three co-equal, co-eternal beings.

Do you understand my point?

Islam: One God

Islam strongly talks about the oneness of God. This is called Tawhid. God is one, without partners and without intermediaries.

But this does not mean Islam is fundamentally different from other Abrahamic religions. There are shared figures and concepts, such as Prophet Isa (Jesus Christ), son of Maryam (Mary), the archangels and angels, and the concept of Iblis/Satan. The sacred books are also connected.

Speaking from a foundational point of view, yes, I know there are differences. But at the root level, the base is the same across the Abrahamic religions.

Judaism: One God

Judaism is strictly monotheistic. It focuses on the worship of one God, YHWH, similar to Islam and Sikhism, emphasizing absolute oneness.

Historically, Jewish theology evolved over time, but modern Judaism strongly emphasizes the unity and indivisibility of God. Like Islam and Christianity, Judaism also shares many foundational figures, prophets, angels, and moral teachings, forming part of the same Abrahamic tradition.

Again, I know there are theological differences, but at the root level, the foundation is closely connected.

The Problem of Language and Translation

Sanskrit, Arabic, Hebrew, and Greek are linguistically rich and layered languages. Spiritual ideas expressed in these languages often lose depth when translated.

As a result, people sometimes argue over wording rather than meaning.

Language becomes a barrier instead of a bridge

Tradition	Core Teaching on Divine Unity
Islam	“La ilaha illallah”— There is no god but God.
Christianity	“The Lord is One”(Deuteronomy 6:4) — God is one.“I am the Alpha and the Omega”— God is everything.
Judaism	“Shema Yisrael… Adonai Echad”— Hear O Israel, the Lord is One.
Hinduism	“Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti”(Upanishads) — Truth is One, sages call it by many names.“Aham Brahmasmi”— I am part of the Divine.
Buddhism	“Sabbe dhamma anatta”— All things are beyond self (meaning: no separate ego—ultimate reality transcends the individual “me”).
Sikhism	“Ik Onkar”— One Universal Creator.
Zoroastrianism	“Ahura Mazda is Supreme”— One Wise Lord.

Notice the pattern: different names in different languages and cultural contexts, but the concept remains consistent. God has no single name. God is God. If we tried to translate all these into one simple language. It means the same. No?

Names of the Divine 

Tradition	Name(s) for God
Islam	Allah—The One God
Christianity	God / Lord / Yahweh—The Father
Judaism	YHWH (Yahweh)—The Sacred Name
Hinduism	Brahman / Ishvara—Ultimate Reality / Supreme God (Also: Vishnu, Shiva, Devi as forms)
Sikhism	Waheguru / Ik Onkar—Wonderful Lord / One God
Zoroastrianism	Ahura Mazda—Wise Lord

Allah (Arabic), God (English), YHWH (Hebrew Origin), Brahman/Bhagwan/Ishvara (Sanskrit Origin), Ik Onkar(Sanskrit), Ahura Mazda(Greek). If we make a new language and translate the absolute words, would there be a single word for all these? Aka God.

The Company Analogy

Now here is how I like to think about it.

Imagine reality as a company.

God is the founder.

Angels are senior management.

Some rebel and are removed.

Humans are users of the system.

Each religion provides a rulebook for navigating life.

Role in System	Hinduism	Christianity	Islam	Judaism
CEO / Owner	Brahman	God	Allah	YHWH
Top Management	Major Devas and Devis	Archangels	Archangels	Archangels
Employees	Devas, spirits	Angels	Angels	Angels
Fired Executives	Asuras	Fallen angels	Iblis, Shayateen	Satanic forces
Customers / Users	Humans	Humans	Humans	Humans
Rulebook	Vedas, Gita	Bible	Quran	Torah
Performance Metric	Dharma, Karma	Faith + Deeds	Faith + Deeds	Law + Deeds
Company Goal	Liberation (Moksha)	Salvation	Paradise (Jannah)	Divine closeness

This analogy simplifies complex theology but highlights shared structures.

One System, Many Interfaces

Here is another analogy.

Imagine one operating system, let’s say Linux, with many distros. Each distro has different colors, buttons, layouts, and user interfaces. Some users prefer Arch (perhaps representing extremely devout practitioners). Some prefer Kali (perhaps representing religious leaders who misuse their authority, like black hat hackers misusing Kali Linux). Some prefer Ubuntu (simple, God-fearing individuals). Some use Windows (atheists). Some use macOS (agnostics). (This is, of course, lighthearted. Again, no hate.)

The point is this: religions may be different interfaces for accessing the same underlying truth. They were shaped by different regions, cultures, languages, and environments. Over time, these differences became more pronounced. But the root, the kernel, remained the same.

Universal Patterns

When we take away culture, language, and the complexities of translation, a core pattern comes out across all major religious traditions:

• There is one ultimate source or divine reality.

• That source created everything.

• There are unseen spiritual beings (angels, devas, etc.).

• Some of these beings rebel and become agents of evil.

• Humans bear moral responsibility and spiritual accountability.

• Life is understood as a test, a journey, or a process of growth.

• Actions matter, ethics and morality are central.

• Ego and pride are spiritually dangerous.

• Truth is ultimately one, though expressed in many forms.

• The goal is to return to, unite with, or come closer to God.

Different words. Same underlying structure.

In the Abrahamic faiths, ther are the Ten Commandments, which are rules, such as honoring parents, avoiding violence, theft, lies, and injustice. Similar values appear in other religions through different forms: dharma in Hinduism, compassion in Buddhism, seva (selfless service) in Sikhism. 

At their core, all religions aim to make better human beings, people grounded in love, self-control, honesty, and service. 

Why This Perspective Matters to Me

This understanding has made me more patient, more respectful, and more willing to listen.

I don’t judge. I don’t think anyone is superior or inferior. I have become wiser.

It reminds me that no individual or tradition owns complete truth.

We are all students.

Concluding Reflections

I know my understanding is limited. I am still young. I am still learning. My views will definitely evolve as I gain more experience, read more deeply, and engage with people from diverse traditions. This essay is simply my current understanding, a record of where I am now in my intellectual and spiritual journey.

I find this field astonishing and I love reading and learning more abotu it, and I wanted to share it in the hope that it might contribute, even in some small way, to the world.

Final Thoughts

For me, religion should not be about conflict. It should be about recognizing the same divine light shining through different windows. Different stories, different symbols, different paths, but same roots.

Again, this is my personal understanding. I respect all traditions and all believers deeply. If this essay encourages you to think calmly, kindly, and with an open heart, then it has done its job.

Only love. No hate.
Cheers!
Mehran