I personally hate religion as it is. The religious idea is one of control, don't do bad things or you will get punished, do these good things to get your eternal cookie.
I live my life based on the idea of "don't be a complete shithead because there are too many shitheads already." If I see a person needing help I don't help them motivated by how many good points I'm going to get later; I help because I understand what needing help feels like.
Now on the inverse I respect other peoples beliefs and customs with only one small request, don't try to convert me. If you are christian and wish to pray for me go right ahead. Don't ask me to join in, don't ask me to express my feelings toward your actions. You won't like what I have to say but hey, you feel better by praying for me and you believe you are helping me in some fashion so go ahead, what harm does it cause me? If you wish to lay a curse on those who have wronged me knock yourself out, I don't personally think it will work but you believe it will do some good so go for it.
On the reverse of this I do in fact believe in revenge, if someone wrongs me they deserve to have my wrath descend upon them like fire from the heavens. I do not forgive when I have been wronged and I will break you eventually. Those that know me best know not to wrong me because I have little tolerance for shitheads and sometimes doing good means breaking a few long bones in the offenders body.
In short, most religions are guides, a set of codes for us to live by, which all can be broken down to a few simple rules that everyone should follow regardless of what book you got it from. Always try to live honestly and help those who need it. Try really hard to not be a complete shithead to those around you. And try really really hard to not kill anyone, cause no one learns a lesson if they are dead.