Are all religions the same?

Recently I came across an article by Dr. Frank Morales, who is a well read authority, whose fields of expertise include Philosophy of Religion, Hindu Studies, Sanskrit, History of Religion, Comparative Theology, Contemporary South Asian Politics, and the interface between Hinduism and modernity. Wow.
He has also been a practicing orthodox Hindu for 30 years, and is an ordained Hindu priest. But he is not Indian !
The article basically talks about the supposed Hindu teaching that all religions are equal…that all religions are the same, with the same purpose, goal and object of ultimate devotion.
Dr Morales argues eloquently that this is not so.
He says Hinduism is tolerant, patient and welcoming of all religions. But this does not amount to admitting that all religions are exactly the same.
Dr Morales defines a Hindu as an individual who accepts as authoritative the religious guidance of the Vedic scriptures, and who strives to live in accordance with Dharma, God’s divine laws as revealed in the Vedic scriptures.
He identifies three important factors that differentiate the nature of various religions:
a) The Problem : an analysis of the fundamental existential dilemma that human beings face,
b) The Solution : the proposed escape from our existential problem,
c) The Absolute : the nature of the ultimate Reality.
The following is worth quoting (I have taken the liberty of striking out some of the more difficult words, to ease the pain of reading Dr Morales original text):
“Different religions are clearly aiming at different, most often mutually exclusive, goals. For Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the human person is seen as a sinner who is in need of repentance, divine forgiveness and renewal. The Absolute for them is a single Godhead.
For Buddhism, it is taught that the human person is unnecessarily experiencing suffering due to mistakenly perceiving herself as an enduring, self-conscious entity. Liberation, in Buddhism, begins with the realization that there is no eternal self (no soul), but only momentary states that give the illusion of a permanent person. The final extinction of the human person in the form of nirvana (literally "blowing out") is thus the goal. The Absolute is correlated with Shunya, the void, emptiness. For Buddhism, there is no God, no soul, nor any other permanent metaphysical reality.
For Hinduism, the human dilemma is caused by ignorance (avidya) of our true state as permanent spiritual beings (atman), and our illusion (maya) of separation from the Absolute. Liberation (moksha) is achieved by transcending this illusion, and by realizing our inherent union (yoga) with the Absolute. Speaking in the most general of terms, the Absolute in Hinduism is termed Brahman.
For Jainism, the human dilemma is caused by our mistaken notion that we are dependent, temporary beings with limited knowledge. Liberation (kevala) is achieved when we realize our true nature as independent, eternal and omniscient beings. For Jainism, there is no God, but rather independently existing liberated persons are the Absolute.”
Dr Morales argues that these different religions are wholly irreconcilable. It is as logically impossible to hold that these religions are all true, or even that any two of these religions are simultaneously true, he says. Is it then his implication that there is only one True religion ?
The point is whether Hinduism teaches that all religions are the same. I think Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma is unique and different from all other religions, and here I agree with the author. I also agree that Hinduism in itself does not teach that all religions are equal… Could this be because Hinduism predates almost all other religions ?
But all religions assert that their own exclusive path holds a clearer insight into Truth, and a surer means for salvation, than does any other faith on earth. So the more important points is whether we can accept that other religions are valid paths to the “Truth” ? This is the spiritual view we are taking.
Here I believe that all religions are right. But, this is not a zero sum game. It need not be that there is only one “right” religion and the rest are wrong , or less right. Taking the Mountain metaphor, I would say:
"Truth lies at the summit of a very high mountain. There are many diverse paths to reach the top of the mountain, and thus attain the one supreme goal. Some paths are shorter, some longer. The path itself is unique to the person following it, for the given point in his evolutionary life (over many lifetimes), and each one must aspire to follow his given path. The truly important thing is that seekers all follow their respective given paths to reach the top of the mountain."