This question is a natural one to ask in our time and culture, when statements like “you believe whatever works for you” sound reasonable and compassionate. We are very attentive to being inoffensive, aren’t we? The idea that all faiths are just optional routes to the top of the same metaphorical mountain is really appealing to us – because it validates so many of the principles that our culture values.

But there’s a problem with that question and that follow up statement: both come from the perspective of a consumer. Words like “valid options” and “multiple roads” clue us into the subtext here: these are not statements about TRUTH; these are statements about PREFERENCE. 

It’s About Truth

Why is that an issue? Because one of the few things that all world religions have in common is that they are making claims about
TRUTH… claims which do not shift according to the preference of those evaluating them; claims which do not seek validation
through anyone’s approval. This is weird for us, because we live immersed in “likes”, “good reviews” and votes. 

When we are looking at religions, we have to think more like mathematicians – “does this add up? Is this the correct answer?” – than like consumers – “do I want this? Does this feel good to me?”

(Note from a mathematician friend here: in advanced math, there are multiple ways to achieve the one right answer. So, if you’re a
mathematician, this model may suggest that the multiple-paths-to-the-same-one-right-answer could be applied to a spiritual quest.
But the key here is “one right answer.” Whereas different Calculus methods correctly applied in solving the same problem will yield
the same one right answer in the end, different religions require different methods and reach radically different conclusions. See
specifics, below.) 

Rather than asking whether Christianity is a “valid option”, we have to ask whether Christianity is “true” – is it the “one right answer”? 

If we are assessing Christianity in comparison / contrast to other religions, then we have to ask the same questions of each of them: are they “true” / do they yield the “right answer”?  

Interesting to note: Regardless of which religion we find to be true, we will certainly find that they cannot ALL be true – because so many of the claims each makes directly contradict claims made by the others! 

 Making Comparisons

Back to our mathematician / consumer model, buying jeans and a velvet skirt and khaki cut-offs is possible; but 4 + 4 can only equal
“8,” not “8 and 11 and 3/12 to the power of 9”… Right? Some folks will still insist on the notion that all religions are alike simply because they are religions. But that’s a slippery slope, logically. Consider: if I say that Hinduism and Islam are basically alike because they are both religions, I am making a statement akin to saying that vegan and keto are alike because they are both diets.  The former are both religions, and the later are both diets.  But consider this statement from the Vegan Society:

“Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude – as far as is possible and practicable – all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment.  in dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”

By contrast, keto emphasizes protein and fat consumption – from animal sources – as a means of achieving a variety of personal health goals, from losing weight to shrinking tumors to balancing insulin.  The focus is exclusively on the individual’s physical health goals; “exploitation of and cruelty to” anything or a focus on “the benefits of animals, humans, and the environment” do not feature at all.

Clearly, though both vegan and keto are “diets”, they make different claims and have different objectives.

Similarly, though Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam are all “religions”, they make different claims and have different objectives.

Compare for Yourself!

Check out this link for a basic comparison chart of Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism:

https://www.infoplease.com/culture-entertainment/religion/major-faiths-concise-table 

Notice the many distinctives. Characterizing these different religions as “the same” is as inaccurate as characterizing vegan and keto as “the same.”

Summary

Christianity – like each and every world religion – makes specific and unique claims.  Those claims cannot be logically evaluated from the perspective of a consumer – “which do I prefer?” – but rather require investigative perspective of a mathematician – “which is true / gives the right answer”?  Categorizing all faith traditions “the same” because they are all religions mischaracterizes each and all faiths.