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Some religions are most certainly better than others, but not for the reasons you might suspect!

Religions are, without exception, the product of human beings. They are attempts to explain the universe, understand the natural order of things, and to promote certain behaviors over others. Regardless of their individual doctrines, creeds, and declarations, every religion involves itself extensively with their particular conception of Divinity, how it relates to humans and the rest of the universe, and what actions are considered to be right, good, and just.

While we cannot measure things such as the "Reality of Divinity", or the "Truth about cosmic order", we certainly may examine the effects that various religions have on the third category of religious influence, human society, and thereby develop criteria for what results are most beneficial. Approaching the issue in this fashion eliminates any obviously "supernatural" claims, dubious historicity, and patently unassessable issues that might otherwise arise.

Nearly every religious doctrine has some form of the Ethic of Reciprocity enshrined within its teachings. This concept is most generally known as "The Golden Rule", or "Treat others as you would like to be treated." The presence of this tenent in nearly all the world's faiths establishes it well as a form of "universal ethic" embraced by mankind.

The measure, then, of any religion, against this "universal ethic" can simply be taken by observing how well the membership of this religion apply the teaching. Fundamentalist versions of various religions often score poorly in this regard, as the emphasis on their interpretation is one of "absolute obedience, and persecution of any who disagree". Clearly, this is not in accordance with the Ethic of Reciprocity.

A second measure of religion would be the comfort in brings to its practitioners. This is a difficult measure to judge, but one might consider that if the followers of a particular religion spend a great deal of time afraid, angry, militant, or scornful of their fellows, their religion may be failing them in bringing comfort. A religion whose practitioners spend a majority of their time feeling peaceful, safe, content, joyful, or embracing towards their fellows, will most likely be better at bringing them comfort.

A third measure of religion might be found in the concern for its membership towards other human beings, not simply those within their particular religious orientation. This may also be difficult to

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