The original post is from 2008 ... And John mentions: that chart is essential for any student of comparative religion. But it would be interesting a table that could really synthesize and visualize almost all 4200 religions / philosophies on the planet.
Although for practical purposes it could be maybe pointless trying to compare so many differences between all those sacred books, goddesses and gods, principles, rules, mantras, prayers, demons, metaphors, rituals ...
The unpleasant aspect would have to be included, all those attempts to prevail or the warlike ones, to create only one religion: the true truth. The only one who said the oldest. As if the relevance was determined by the ancestors of the Vedic culture.
I think our brain also loves symbols and mystical aspects, because it adds flavor to everyday life. Perhaps our brain cannot bear operating in logic mode all the time and requires a pleasant rest in lapses along our day. Perhaps that is why drugs are sought to evade reality or to "provide gratification." but with chaotic results for the body, life or lives involved.
It is interesting how the adoption of a religion also includes the geographical factor: depending on the place where we were born, the beliefs could be accepted or rejected. Some human beings look for what is especially different from their culture because that feeds something important. Some other people searched far and wide and questioned the dogmas and their curiosity gave them other learnings.
In my opinion, the study of comparative religion might also include the theme that symbolic processing "embraces" the brain and neuro-chemicals give us: a spiritual experience. Necessary to bear fears, overcome adversity, understand death or make sense of what "happen us".
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