The story of Prophet David’s triumph over Goliath (1 Samuel 17–18) differs significantly between the Greek translation, the Septuagint (LXX), and the original Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT).

For instance, the MT describes Goliath’s height as "six cubits and a span," while the LXX states "four cubits and a span." Is this a result of intentional alteration or merely a scribal error? Why is the narrative 40% longer in the MT than in the LXX?

Religious accusations of altering sacred texts, known as Tahrif, began centuries ago between Judaism and Christianity. Rabbi Elazar ben Yossi HaGelili in the 2nd century C.E. accused the Cuthites of falsifying the Torah. Similarly, Mani, the founder of Manichaeism, charged that all existing sacred scriptures were corrupted over time. He claimed that earlier traditions, found in texts like Jubilees and 1 Enoch, were removed from the canonical scriptures.

Mani critiqued his prophetic predecessors for failing to preserve their writings accurately, leading to corrupted texts across religions like Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity. Ibn al-Nadīm reported that Mani accused other prophets of being deceived by devils.

Christian polemicists, such as Justin Martyr (c.100-165 C.E.), accused Jews of altering scriptures to obscure prophecies about Jesus. This built on Paul's writings in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 3:14). Islam also addressed claims of Tahrif, particularly regarding Jewish and Christian scriptures (Qur'an 3:78; 4:46; 5:15).

Greek philosopher Aristotle’s belief that truth is a zero-sum game influenced early medieval religious thinkers to view differing texts as contradictory rather than complementary. However, promoting peace in a pluralistic world requires rejecting this zero-sum ideology and embracing the pluralistic teachings found within our own scriptures, particularly the Qur’an.

Prophet Muhammad taught that all prophets are brothers with the same faith but different cultural contexts. “Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, ‘Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all people to Jesus, son of Mary. Prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one’” (Bukhari, Book #55, Hadith #652).

Religions differ due to the varying circumstances of their followers. Differences in sacred texts should be seen as casting additional light rather than nullifying each other. The Qur’an states, “If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (God's plan is) to test you in what He has given you: so compete in all virtues as in a race. The goal of you all is to (please) Allah who will show you on judgment day the truth of the matters in which you dispute” (Qur'an 5:48).

Therefore, humans are limited to the particular truth of their own religion until Judgment Day. Prophet Muhammad advised, “Do not believe the people of the Book, nor disbelieve them, but say, 'We believe in Allah, and whatever is revealed to us, and whatever is revealed to you.’”

Most Americans today believe that many religions can lead to eternal life. A 2008 Pew Research Center survey found that 70% of those affiliated with a religion agreed with this statement, including 82% of Jews, 79% of Catholics, 57% of evangelical Protestants, and 56% of Muslims.

Religious pluralism, distinct from relativism, acknowledges that while values and standards are not subjective, humans must embrace humility in understanding divine truth. Finite humans, even the most pious, cannot fully comprehend the infinite. This humility is echoed in the teachings of Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad.

In essence, promoting peace requires acknowledging the limitations of human understanding and respecting the diversity of religious experiences. As the Qur’an teaches, “Those who believe (Muslims), those who advocate Judaism, Christians, Sabeans, whoever truly believes in God and the Last Day, and does good righteous deeds, surely their reward is with their Lord, they will not fear, nor will they grieve” (2:62).

Religious pluralism encourages humility and mutual respect, fostering a more peaceful and understanding world.