It makes all the difference in the world whether religion is born of fear or of compassion.
The First Commandment (No Gods before me) can be heard in two very different ways:
To a frightened heart, the First Commandment seems to say we are to lift up our sectarian idea of God over every other or face the wrath of a jealous heavenly dictator.
To a loving heart, the First Commandment can be heard as the voice of life itself. It can be heard as a reminder that we are part of a life that is deeper and broader than our own little lives and so must remember to always love the whole of life more than any of its parts.
Fear hears the First Commandment as a call to sectarian loyalty. Love hears the exact same words as a call to empty ourselves into a kindred sympathy with all.