Re: Only SF would pull this!
MR: <font color=blue>"When I was in Catholic high school I took a comparative religion course for a year."</font color=blue>
I also took a one year comparative religion course, in college. We looked at similarities and differences between and among the Judeo-Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Shinto, Taoist, and Buddhist religions, among others. There are both similarities and differences, of course. There are also a large number of religions which we did not even identify, let alone study. Not only is the variety staggering, but it is a source of some bemusement that each religion has followers who passionately believe it to be the only true faith.
It was a fascinating course, and as you observed, it contributed to an attitude of tolerance which endures.