Killing in the name of God?

Have you ever taken a closer look at world religions and the similarities they all share? When you look at the larger sects like Judaism, Islam, Hindu, Buddhism and Christianity, there are many parallels that can be made. Most religions cast the image of man into their belief systems as an iconic messiah or idol. Most religions have their own set of spiritual laws based on a particular culture and the moral needs of that society. In fact, many of these religions are traced back thousands of years ago when geography mostly isolated man and yet these religious similarities exist on their own accord? It is interesting that though many of these cultures were isolated they created religion as a human response to the unknown: How did we come to be? Where do we go when we die? Good vs Evil, etc… These are the same questions a monk in the Far East may have asked thousands of years ago and a Jew in Palestine pondered as well. I understand that explorers long ago and newly forged trade routes have facilitated the modest sharing of ideals but you can look back to the ancient religions and see the same parallels:

From the beginning of humankind, various isolated societies have constructed religious belief systems based mostly on physiological needs. Prehistoric environments and subsistence strategies birthed ancient religions. As cultures matured and developed into modern societies, a revolution in religious belief systems was born. This renaissance developed caste systems, karma, enlightenment, and the four noble truths in the East. Western Civilization saw the birth of Christ and the Ten Commandments. Instead of worshiping prehistoric environments, subsistence strategies, and polytheism, modern religion transformed into deeper thought processes Ancient religions evolved over time due to education and increased self-awareness. Religious thought progressed along with their cultures, becoming more concerned with philosophy, science, politics, history, war, corruption, and promised roads to salvation.

With all of these apparent similarities, it seems Man for thousands of years has sensed or yearned for something greater than ordinary life. These parallels suggest a common thread for morality and a need for spirituality. What this leads to is that religion is merely an antenna trying to communicate with something larger than our paltry existence on Earth. In theory, religions are just windows to a bigger picture: What is God and who or what created the Universe? Until we understand the origins of the Cosmos how can we even attempt to understand God? Something as neatly packaged as Christianity and the Bible is nice and convenient, but aren't we talking about something bigger - more vast? And despite our petty religious differences, we fight holy wars and live in fear of religious terrorism on a daily basis. How ignorant are we as a common global culture? How egotistical are some to think one major religion is superior than another? And the ignorant ass holes that kill indiscriminately in the name of “their god”… If there is blissful afterlife or re-birth (and I believe there is in some capacity), those thugs are not going there in 1st Class.