I am working on theories about religions. Eseentailly, all mainstream religions that have arisen out of our culture (East and West, Twins of the same birth--the Fertile Crescent) have certain themes in them. Salvation seems to be the most prevalent. Deeper thinkers than I have identified salvation (enlightenment, Nirvana, redemption, etc.) as an allegory for contentment. But these religions do not identify it as such. They claim that salvation (enlightenment, redemption, Nirvana, so forth) is a real thing that can be achieved by doing a list of things revealed to their followers through holy persons, prophets, etc. Right now all these ideas are sort of floating around in my head and I'd appreciate some help in sorting them out.

As near as i can figure, the only religions (defined as any philosophy that describes a relationship with Divinity), that are not salvationist are Wiccan Paganism (the farming religion; figure out the ways fo Divinity, live in harmony with them), Animism (Divinity is in the here and the now, in the spirits of things of the present, Gods walk amongst us, and so tread lightly lest you "step on their feet), and Nihilism (fuck Divinity!).