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In the IT Poker Room we recently instituted a High Hand Jackpot. Before we could set payout levels and such things we needed to know how often players would make the various hands that we pay them for (information that is shockingly not available through a simple google). I offered to verify Chris's numbers and did the whole rundown at home by myself. When we talked about it later, it turns out that we used markedly different methods to get the odds, but we both came out with the same numbers. The reason we got the same numbers is because they're the true odds and our methods were equally valid.
I think it's the same with religions. The most important part of a religion is the life it tells it's followers to live. No major religion condones murder, or rape or stealing. They all want their followers to lead peaceful lives respecting and loving each other. Because it's the right way to live. Whether you pray to Jesus, or Vishnu or just meditate you'll live the same kind of life. Different holidays and rituals to be sure but that means nothing really*.
* This assumes that we're not playing by the Christian thought that all human beings need to be saved from their fundamental nature by having faith that their perfect creator manifested briefly in the Middle East 2,000 years ago. Failure to do so would, of course, consign one to an eternity of fiery torment.
I think it's the same with religions. The most important part of a religion is the life it tells it's followers to live. No major religion condones murder, or rape or stealing. They all want their followers to lead peaceful lives respecting and loving each other. Because it's the right way to live. Whether you pray to Jesus, or Vishnu or just meditate you'll live the same kind of life. Different holidays and rituals to be sure but that means nothing really*.
* This assumes that we're not playing by the Christian thought that all human beings need to be saved from their fundamental nature by having faith that their perfect creator manifested briefly in the Middle East 2,000 years ago. Failure to do so would, of course, consign one to an eternity of fiery torment.