nah. There have been faiths where people built up large piles of feces and prayed to it. You can't say that is equal to say the the teaching of buddha.

No, they are not all equal, not in any sense, any more than all ideas are equal. It could be said that the three major monotheistic religions are all misogynistic, but they are not equally so. One of Islam's major flaws is that its leaders have not condemned the practice of child marriage, because the Prophet himself did so. Until they do, there is no moral high ground for them.

Q: "With all of the different religions, how can I know which one is correct?"

A: There is no doubt that the number of different religions in the world makes it a challenge to know which one is correct. First, let’s consider some thoughts on the overall subject and then look at how one might approach the topic in a manner that can actually get to a right conclusion about God. The challenge of different answers to a particular issue is not unique to the topic of religion. For example, you can sit 100 math students down, give them a complex problem to solve, and it is likely that many will get the answer wrong. But does this mean that a correct answer does not exist? Not at all. Those who get the answer wrong simply need to be shown their error and know the techniques necessary to arrive at the correct answer.

How do we arrive at the truth about God? We use a systematic methodology that is designed to separate truth from error by using various tests for truth, with the end result being a set of right conclusions. Can you imagine the end results a scientist would arrive at if he went into the lab and just started mixing things together with no rhyme or reason? Or if a physician just started treating a patient with random medicines in the hope of making him well? Neither the scientist nor the physician takes this approach; instead, they use systematic methods that are methodical, logical, evidential, and proven to yield the right end result.

This being the case, why should theology—the study of God—be any different? Why believe it can be approached in a haphazard and undisciplined way and still yield right conclusions? Unfortunately, this is the approach many take, and this is one of the reasons why so many religions exist. That said, we now return to the question of how to reach truthful conclusions about God. What systematic approach should be used? First, we need to establish a framework for testing various truth claims, and then we need a roadmap to follow to reach a right conclusion. Here is a good framework to use:

1. Logical consistency—the claims of a belief system must logically cohere to each other and not contradict in any way. As an example, the end goal of Buddhism is to rid oneself of all desires. Yet, one must have a desire to rid oneself of all desires, which is a contradictory and illogical principle.

2. Empirical adequacy—is there evidence to support the belief system (whether the evidence is rational, externally evidential, etc.)? Naturally, it is only right to want proof for important claims being made so the assertions can be verified. For example, Mormons teach that Jesus visited North America. Yet there is absolutely no proof, archaeological or otherwise, to support such a claim.

3. Existential relevancy—the belief system should address the big questions of life described below and the teachings should be accurately reflected in the world in which we live. Christianity, for example, provides good answers for the large questions of life, but is sometimes questioned because of its claim of an all-good and powerful God who exists alongside a world filled with very real evil. Critics charge that such a thing violates the criteria of existential relevancy, although many good answers have been given to address the issue.

The above framework, when applied to the topic of religion, will help lead one to a right view of God and will answer the four big questions of life:

1. Origin – where did we come from?
2. Ethics – how should we live?
3. Meaning – what is the purpose for life?
4. Destiny – where is mankind heading?

Nope, for example, Islam is the most volatile, repressive, and insidious religion at the moment.

I have noticed that Christianity is the worst. They FORCED their beliefs on others. Our history shows forcing their beliefs on SLAVES, Native Americans. The RIGHT WING wants to force it on our school kids. True Islam teaches peace. The KKK say the are GOD's work. They are nothing but home grown terrorist.

All religions have the same innate ability to cause harm to society - and some are better at it than others. But just because one is not CURRENTLY as destructive as another does not make it any less false - and it is the falseness of all religions that make them equal.

Not equal. Some are tame, some are extreme. All equally false though.

Yes, I think that all religions are equal in that they all believe some sort of bullshit! You can pick and choose forever, but it still comes out the same...a turd is a turd!

No. Some are more abusive than others.

I think all Religious are equal just as all Governments are equal...I think the term "fornicators" was a description designed for the two. They crawl in bed together and manipulate the masses, seeking to control every aspect of our lives. We will generally get in bed with one if not both. People will harm you to defend these fornicators.

I think all extremists are dangerous - no matter what religion or non religion. Just reading comments from the members of this sights proves to me that it does not matter much what you label yourself belief wise.... extremists are scary and annoying.

I do not believe all religions are the same. Some of the most common recent ones are really similar. But all religious and non religious affiliations can have groups that are the same... They have that way of thinking that is "my way is the only way". That way of thinking is so wrong. People get so hung up on labels to much. Labels can be ok to a point but we need to look beyond the labels to make a truly informed decision.

I certainly would not put Jainism on the same level as fundamentalist Christianity or Islam.

All religions are equally false, but not all religions are equal in their consequences. Just because two things share one trait doesn't mean they share all traits, nor are they the same in all regards.

All religions are based on ungrounded cultural mythology and superstition. Still some religions treat people with greater dignity and respect than others. They do less damage.

From a scientific viewpoint there can be little difference between religions in as much as they are all figments of someone imagination. That being said there are some religions that are so virilent that they are much more of a threat to the rest of civilization.

I believe they are equal in their falseness, they all profess to the supernatural to some degree, they all make claims as to how one should live their lives, so in many ways they are different but yet the goals are the same

Religions are generally based on a common thread of fantasy - a sort of opiate to calm the fears of humans. So, in that respect they are equal. Religions could be beneficial if they are relegated to humans' spiritual needs ( many people simply need the opiate or else can't cope). Some religions are better at this than others. When a religion intrudes in the political arena, well, then it's no longer about religion, is it? It's about POWER to control others. Islam seems to be the most pernicious, at least because it has so many adherents. But, let's face it, Christianity has shown similar patterns when it was the main cultural/political force.

If a religion is untrue...and for all I can see no evidence..then there is no difference. One could debate to what extent has religion caused war and conflict and make a judgement on that. The crusades, Holocaust to name but two are pretty good examples of why religion is insane.

I thought they were all equals... until I discovered Scientology. Now, I consider the difference between religions where the leaders believe in what they say and the ones where the leaders are just there to make money or have power (like Raelians and Scientology)

Clearly not all religions are equal as many are based on wildly differing tenants. Janism is basically humanism where you cannot be violent to others, so this must be better than all the Abrahamic religions. Buddhism hasn't been talked about much in the comments and as that doesn't have a central text and uses the ideas of one's own experiences to validate your own beliefs and truths, again clearly better / different to Abrahamic religions. I've heard that most psychologists, if religious, are Buddhists. Scientology is a crock of crap so we can forget about that.

Are all illusions equal? No, some are more harmful to society than others. Some are more harmful to the person. Some are both.

They are all equal in appropriating morality through regular ritual and devotion which keeps the believer from straying thoughts logic or reason. The rules may vary, but the outcome is the same, in that it is an attempt to control large groups of people. Rituals give them a sense of unity. Certain clothing separates them from others. They seek to create an 'us' and 'them' system which defines non believers as lesser beings which god allows to be killed or subjugated and lands conquered with out guilt or sin.

I believe that all religions are equal and the value they get is given by their followers earnestness.

All religions are only equal in there willful disregard of reality, but they are far from being equally benign.

"Do you think all religious are equal?"

Equal in what sense?

"Some Atheists claim that all religions or religious philosophies are the same since they are equally false."

Well certain non-supernatural claims found in religions may be true. I think Jesus probably did exist but that doesn't say much on it's own does it?

"I assert that them being equally false is irrelevant. Ideologies and belief systems embed particular values and ideas who have different consequences on human behavior."

True but it's hard to really judge them all equal handedly.

"Consequences on the human behavior is what really matters as this is how it truly affects society."

True.

"Not all religions are equal because they represent different religious philosophies and set of rules in the same way that godless ideologies such as marxism or capitalism are."

True.

"Do you believe that all religions are equal?"

Perhaps not in their negative impacts on humanity but to really objectively compare every aspect of each one without any cultural value judgements creeping in is neigh on impossible!

"What do you mean by it?'

i'm pretty sure they can't all be equal but how the hell can you be entirely objective when judging them all?

"This issue underlines the Christianity vs. Islam debate. Please defend your case here."

As far as I'm concerned most are so bad they are largely as bad as each other. I'm OK with Jains though because the more fundamentalist they get the less you have to worry about them as harmful because they are 100% pacifist. They won't even kill insects i they can help it!