[softy54534]

Lets have a discussion on the major religions to determine if we could narrow down to the truth. This is not meant to be a tit-for-tat amongst the various religions. Hopefully, we can discuss this topic objectively without getting worked up as is often the case.
Here are my observations (which may not necessarily be correct). Feel free to add on or correct if i'm wrong:
Buddhism - Buddha was an indian prince who after witnessing sufferings of the common people, decided to search for answers. Eventually, he became 'enlightened' and started preaching about sufferings, avoiding sufferings and the cycles/realms of existence. He never preached about God nor did he claim to be divine. However, buddhism later evolved into a religion. Buddhism, though full of wisdom, was never intended to be a religion in the first place.
Taoism - Taoism was started by LaoTze, a philisopher. Tao means 'the way'. Teachings included relationship between man and nature/universe, healthy living, ancester worship. There is no God as in a supreme being but that everyone who dies could become a deity. Not exactly a religion but a way of life.
Hinduism - No one knows for sure who started this religion. The most interesting fact about the religion is the number of Gods worshipped. The three main manifestations of the omnipresent God are: Brahma, the creator of the universe, Vishnu the protector and Shiva the destroyer. Wars between the Asuras (demons) and the Devas (Gods) are a common part of the Hindu mythology. The Hindu goes through a series of reincarnations that eventually lead to 'moksha', or salvation, freeing the body from the cycle of rebirths based on karma. A somewhat mysterious religion.
Christianity - Christianity is contained in the bible which is a collection of 66 books written by about 40 authors over approximately 1600 years. The bible is divided into the Old Testament (before time of Jesus) and the New Testament. The Bible claims to be inspired and inerrant. This means that the Bible claims to be from God and that it is without error in everything it addresses. It teaches that there is only 1 true God and that all of mankind are creatures (therefore, children) of the same God.The bible contains prophesies of which many have come to pass. Jesus was sent by God to 'save' mankind from sins and destruction. Many miracles have been documented in the bible during the time of Jesus. However, within the bible, there are also many contradictions.
Islam - Islam is pretty much the Old Testament of the Christian bible. The similarities end here with the introduction of Prophet Mohd. Islam claims that Jesus was just a prophet and that Mohd was the last and greatest prophet sent by God. The Quran, however, is quite different from the old testament though they are similar in contents. Islam is built upon five major pillars. A Muslim is taught that anyone who dies observing these five basic pillars will enter heaven. They are:
(1) To bear witness that there is no entity worthy of worship except Allah
(2) To perform five prescribed prayers to God every day
(3) To pay two and a half percent (2.5%) of ones wealth to charity every year
(4) To fast the month of Ramadan
(5) To perform a pilgrimage to Mecca
There are also many inconsistensies and contradictions in the Quran.

So, why are you a Buddhist, Christian or whatever? Is it because you're born into your religion and therefore leave it to fate? Or, has it been your choice and why?