These scriptures apply to all religions.
It's all from the same tree. People moving from one branch to another, Branches fall away, new ones grow... fed by the residue of the old ones, sometimes by the juices of the old ones.
I would have to say that I don't agree with you about " all religions ". I don't believe that " all religions " should go by hand in hand all together just like " ecumenical ". That's " prostitution " in the eyes of God and that's " blamsphey "( sp ? ) in the eyes of God. Why should Muslim start their war against Christians by terrorizin' them ? I have NEVER seen Christians start their war against Muslim by terrorizin' them. And, even in Catholic's history - they killed Christians, too. Why Catholic ? I don't believe in ecumenical thing when they believe ALL the religions should go by hand in hand --- oh, just because, they are sayin' that they ALL believe in the SAME God. Gee - that's like one or another religion is engagin' other religions just like prostitute did. Jesus is talkin' about " His Church ", His Bride - not sleepin' around with many different churches as many brides ( different religions ). If, you had a child - you would discipline/or train your child to follow your rules, so this way your child will obey you to avoid serious consequences, right ? And, that your child will grow up the same steps you expect him/her to follow. It's the same way Jesus expect His children and He disciplines them to grow up to follow Him spiritually. All the branches must be all the same belief since that Vine/Tree is one body, the One who teaches, ministers, and all through the Words of God Himself, not from other different god/or gods that don't follow the same as He.
In 600 CE, the muslims were drawing from the new testament and created Islam, in 300 CE documents were chosen that fitted best for a christian church. Documents written amongst others by Gnostics that wrote down their spiritual journey in order to explain it to common people. Myths that were allready know for 1000's years.. like the myth of a man, born from a virgin, on 25th december, having healing powers, dying on a cross, resurected after his death.... A myth know long before the year 0.
Oh, you think that it is myth of Mary to give birth of Jesus while she was a virgin, eh ?
But all of these scriptures and other documents are written by man, in order to honor their spirituality, in order to explain the myths...
Do you believe that ?
If you believe the scriptures officially part of the bible, you should also believe the scriptures written in the same time, and even before but not taken into account when the bible was assembled. The gospel of Mary Magdelene, the gospel of Judas....
All stories, all interpretations of the same myth.... All from the same tree.
The God inside you.... coming from inside out. Not a god coming from the outside in!!
Then how do YOU explain about when a person is born-again ? He or she MUST confess his or her sins and repent by ACCEPTIN' Jesus Christ to come in their heart. The Holy Spirit started movin' in once he or she accepts Jesus Christ. That means He COMES IN to that person's life to help changin' his/her life as a NEW person or creature. I am talkin' about spiritually.
Isn't it amazing that such high focus is put on proof. In daily life, in the courhouse, and still, when swearing to tell the truth people put their hand on on of the most fictonal pieces of paper ever written. Swearing on sometinh that has no proof whatsoever. (I know.... it's faith..)
Now, swearing on your wife's (lovers) life!!! that would be something...