jaskop, I disagree with your view that all religions are essentially the same or that they all express the same meaning at their core. I think there are very clear distinctions between religions which point to completely contradictory views of the nature of reality. I think it requires some serious mental gymnastics to conclude that the differences between, for example, Buddhism and Islam, are merely superficial or a matter of perspective. This conclusion can only (in my opinion) be reached if you are willing to completely disregard what the texts and teachings of these religions actually say... or if you haven't really read much of the texts of the different religions and are just making an assumption based on how you'd like things to be.

People seem to be able to make religions say whatever they want them to say, I find this both convenient (for them) and disturbing. That being said, as interpretations go, I like yours. I think if more people interpreted things the way you did then there would be a lot less conflict between religious folks.

I haven't found any use for religion in my life, nor found any religion which stands up to rational probing (Buddhism does very well though), so I pay very little attention to any of them. There are some useful things which can be gleaned from the teachings of religions... but I don't feel the need to take any of the doctrines, dogmas or unverifiable claims as anything other than fairy tales. I could be wrong of course.