Human beings too often focus on the things that make us different from another, whether it is age, gender, sexuality, class, or race/ethnicity. One of the major areas where we fail to see similarities is in religion.

Over the last few years, we have made huge strides in increasing diversity, whether in political office, Hollywood or even the classroom. However, some still feel the need to declare that their views and their beliefs are superior to those of others, especially when it comes to religion.

You may see posts on Facebook saying things like “It’s Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays” (yes, I’ve actually seen this) or “If those Muslim women knew what was good for them, they would take that thing off their heads” (also have seen this). Not only do posts such as these greatly upset me because of their ignorance, but also because if these people only knew how small the degrees of separation are between religions, they would probably change their tune.

My father is Catholic and my mother is Jewish, but this has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.

I was baptized and grew up attending church most Sundays as well as Sunday school during my childhood. I celebrated all the Jewish holidays and knew every Jewish prayer.

As a child, this was a little bit confusing for me. I would often ask my parents questions such as, “If you’re Jewish, do you not believe that Jesus exists?” or “If Jesus founded Christianity than what was he before?”

Another source of confusion for me was when I went to church with my family, and the priest would say something along the lines of “If you don’t believe in Jesus, you are damned to hell." I knew that my mom didn’t believe in Jesus, but even in my youth, I believed with all of my heart that she was not going to hell.

Comments like these made me angry and would not pull me towards believing in Jesus more, but actually push me away.

But after that confusion and anger went away and I matured throughout the years, I began to see the overlap between the two religions. I noticed that if the details are put aside, the two share almost identical values.

Both religions place the values of God and love above all else.

Both religions emphasize respect for your fellow man.

Both religions stress the importance of kindness.

Both religions practice the age-old saying of treating others the way you wish to be treated.

Both religions believe in something greater than themselves. Shall I continue?

After I recognized all of the similarities between these two religions, I started to think of people who follow other religions as not being so different from myself.

To this day, I will say, without a doubt, that this was one of the best things that could have happened to me. I have an understanding and respect for people of all religions, all races, all ethnicities without the influence of prejudices.

I have been blessed with the knowledge that the person sitting across from me at a coffee shop wearing a hijab most likely values the exact same things I do.

I cannot thank my parents enough for the respect they had for each other and their decision to raise my brothers and me knowing both sides of our heritage.

I don’t claim to be a heavily religious person, but I still believe in God and the values I think matter most. I may not practice my religion inside of a church or synagogue, but I still try to treat every person I encounter with love and respect (I’m not saying I’m Mother Teresa, but I try).

If I could give any advice to people who have not been lucky enough to learn of such universalities, please try to educate yourself on what others believe.

I promise that if you do, you will realize that we are not so different from one another, and in the end, you will be much happier than those who only see the separations.

Preach love and respect my friends; you’ll be much better off in the end.