Different means to a common end

This is in response to N5's post .. i kinda had quite a lot of points so i'm putting it all up here...

Any text of wisdom, whether theological or secular, will tell u that the aim of life is self-realisation, practice of correct morals, living with self-respect and bulding up of a stable, complete character. Religion is one way to achieve all this. Correction...the unadulterated, ideal concept of religion in the broadest meaning is a "means" to achieve an "end", which is God...

U may or may not believe in God. If you do, you are free to look upon God in any form u like. You are allowed to define God for yourselves in such a way that THE DEFINITION U MADE FOR YOURSELF MAKES U A GOOD PERSON, WHO DEVELOPS THE CORRECT APPROACH TO LIFE AND FELLOW BEINGS...
You may look upon God as the father of the universe with infinite power in his hands, or as a friend who always guides u at every stage of ur life, or as a hero with the qualities u aspire for yourselves...when u grow old u can look upon God even as ur child...You are free to follow the teachings of any prophet..in all these cases, what stands out clearly is that u have to "attain one-ness" (as the term goes) with God.. hence becoming good and reforming yourselves is already implied in the same..

For you, God could also be an intangible entity..a Force..pure energy..which could take many forms from time to time.. u could personify this force into a common but ideal embodiment...a human being, an animal, a plant..even the collective beauty of nature...whatever/ whoever God is, it/he should be a mentor which/who moulds you with positive energy...

If you do not believe in God, on account of your own ideas supported with maybe with science, the only thing that matters is the outcome of your existence as a social being.. discipline yourselves to be good and lead a life flavoured with broad-mindedness that does not end-up in meaningless conflict of ideas (applies to both believers and non-believers)

Religions are different methods to arrive at the same result. Various exponents and prophets have existed, preached, lead people in the right path before leaving earth.. and today people fight in their names.. this saddening, disheartening phenomenon reveals a total misunderstanding of their teachings..

You were born in this world not to prove yourselves, or your religion greater than others'..you were rather born in this world...as a spiritual being on a human visit..to understand the meaning of one-ness of all religions, and learn to co-exist peacefully with the world.. and ultimately realise the purpose of life..

thank u n5, for bringing up the topic..