I was recently asked this question:
Is it ok to say that different religions have some good in them?

The answer is a simple yes or no, right? Well, maybe I over-thought this one, because it took a few paragraphs to get to my affirmative.

Read the whole answer below ...

All religions have their own definition of "sacred" and "profane" or as it was called in the garden of eden: "Good and Evil."

If it is "good" to go to Mecca (as in Islam,) then it is evil to not go to Mecca. If it is "good" to avoid stepping on insects (as in Hindu), then it is "evil" to kill insects. Eastern religions make this their solitary focus, emblematic of the Yin/Yang symbol (found on the Korean flag, for example), which looks like a divided circle, between black and white, each part having a dot with the opposite value.

One of the deepest philosophies in eastern religion that focuses on "good and evil" is Taoism, which manifests in nearly all essential philosophies of the east. In the west, that religion is Christianity, that focuses on "good and evil" "sacred and profane." Christian religion is much like Taoism, because it focuses on the concept that there is good behavior and evil behavior. Do the good behavior to become good, and do the profane behavior to become evil. I've heard Christian religionists espouse Taoist doctrine and illustrations. For example, "there are two dogs in your soul at war, and the one that wins is the one that you feed the most", which is a Christian-religion illustration that is take verbatim from Taoism.

Authentic Christianity is not the Christian religion to which I am referring. Classic Christianity is not a religion at all. Genuine Christianity is Somebody (Jesus) living in somebody else (like you and me.)

Christianity has a flag that is white with a red cross on it. Contrary to true Christianity, the religious-Christians might as well fly a flag like Korea, with the Yin/Yang in the middle, because their philosophy is mere Taoism reconstituted for Christian consumption. The only thing that should be added to the Yin/Yang symbol on that flag is the tree-trunk. For we are only looking at the modern interpretation of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

In short, it is accurate to say there is "good" in all different religions, and by that knowledge of what is good about them we know what is evil. (( ie. If it is good to avoid being gluttonous, then it is evil to behave gluttonous.)) What is missing in these religions is not "goodness" but LIFE. So, I want to shift your focus from thinking about what is good and evil, to what is alive and what is dead.

I need LIFE as God lives it, so just give me Jesus.
I don't want another religion ... not even one based upon His teachings.
In order to be a Christian-religionist and miss out on what Jesus came to impart, just form a religion around the teaching of Jesus so that you can define a lifestyle that conforms to that teaching and then go and try to life up to that lifestyle the best way that you can without Jesus ... on your own.

He won't be dynamically living His life through you, rather He will be demanding that you do it on your own while He is being kept at a safe distance as you attempt to forge your own righteousness. All that Jesus will be relevant to the Christian-religionists is as a futuristic and mystical appraiser of religious devotion and lonely toil as religionists try to impress Him and rise above their current condition of depravity one "good" work at a time.

To the Christian-religionist, each command is a chance to change themselves from dirty to clean by fulfilling it.

To the real Christian, and those that have come to rely upon God's Grace ... each command is a PROMISE of a MIRACLE that Jesus (HIMSELF) intends to do in and though them. We have come to face each command with weakness and dependence and the two words that God SO loves to hear:
"I can't"
[[[[... to which God replies - ]]]]]
"I never said that you could"
"I can,"
"... and I always promised that I would."

It has been said, and I agree that "Christianity is the cruelest religion on earth." Look at all the world religion and see if you don't come to the same conclusion. To be religious in Christianity is to live a life of misery ... because this religion is the only one that demands that you be perfect, holy, and righteous as God, and there is no way by your own resources to ever accomplish this.

As a Christian, and an honest observer there are lots of reasons to say that Christianity is the cruelest religion on earth.

... because the Lord Jesus Christ did not come to found a religion.

He did not want us to center on a teaching, nor a particular system of beliefs. Rather He came that we might cast religion aside and center everything on Him. Christianity isn't a religion. Christianity is Somebody living in somebody else. The Christian life is lived through the enabling of the Spirit of God as granted in the Life of Christ .. and enjoyed in each moment as one surrenders to Him to live that Life in and through them.

He gave His life FOR us
in order that
He could give His life TO us
so that
He could live His life THROUGH us!

And it is this premise that authentic Christianity is 180degrees apart from every religion on earth.

1 Corinthians 10:23
"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.

Next time you hear someone instruct you about what is good and what is evil, just listen and see if you cannot hear a voice say this to you heart:
"What business is it of yours what is good and evil? Have you been eating from the tree that I told you not to eat?"

... Then run to Jesus the Lord Jesus for Life!
He came "that you might have (HIS) Life" ... not "a good lifestyle"