The quiz is set up more in a diagnostic than an interrogative mode, so it seems like most people should not be surprised by what comes up at the top of the list (Do I believe in karma, reincarnation, compassion? Yup, I'm a Buddhist!). But what's interesting, of course, is seeing the other religions that follow for the purpose of 1) comparing the various religions quant- and qualitatively (why do I know so few American Hindus, for example?), and, more importantly, 2) parsing the results to draw lots of meaningless "meaning" from them.

For example, Mike, I notice that your list includes a robust 51% Mahayana Buddhism (that's a majority, you know, and this IS a winner-take-all situation, so welcome aboard). However, I can only scrape up a 36% comittment to Reform Judaism. Does this threaten our friendship? Does it mean you're 15% more like me than I am like you? Does it mean I don't get invited back to Passover? (Or, hey, if you guys want to come over for Tsog, we'll have some Yak butter tea, cause, you know, I'm all about that.)

If we're lucky, maybe this will bring us all together. You know, like a shuttle launch or American Idol. I know I'm going to be a little more open-minded tomorrow. Maybe I'll start going to some nice Jainist parties.

Colin, for what it’s worth, I rang up a resounding 100% Hindu, which is going to just blow the socks off the Presbyterians I go to church with occasionally.

I know my friends will be shocked to learn I rate 100% secular humanist. I agree with Colin, though -- the fun part of this Belief-O-Matic is seeing the rankings it generates for one's runner-up religions. Apparently, I'm 99% Unitarian and 90% Liberal Quaker. I'm glad to know that atheism doesn't necessarily disqualify me for those faiths.

I was a bit surprised that "Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants" beat out my ethnically correct faith, Reform Judaism, 85% to 52%. I hope my ancestors aren't rolling over in their graves (of course, most of them were atheists, too). Could I at least be a Reconstructionist Jew? After all, I have publicly pledged to Sarah to create a home together based on the traditions of our Jewish heritage. Maybe I'll ask the theologists at Belief-O-Matic if they could cut me a deal.

Myself - I ring up more reform Jewish than Sikh. Now while that maybe true culturally, it still happens even when I give only doctrinally correct answers concerning Sikh beliefs. Since I know more on this subject than does the person who set up the engine, I really wonder what sources he used. Very odd.

It's part of the Global Jewish Conspiracy to convert as many Sikhs to Reform Judaism as possible. I'd tell you the rest of it -- but then I'd have to kill you. Death by Matzoh Ball is not pretty, my friend.

I'm here already - sheesh. Whaddya mean I'm not Jewish ? I'm also amazed at how many non-Sikhs show up as holding Sikh beliefs.

This just supports my theory that we need a new, amalgamated religion that takes the best bits from all the things we agree on and doesn't force anyone to do anything about them. As it is a combination of several religions it will be called "Blirjhigkism." You can also subscribe to "Reform Blirjhigkism." If you do, you get a free mousepad.