Religion is false, not empirical rationality, however, it produces a different degree of outcome than the lies of self motivated, desire fulfillment.
The difference is that those who practice religion diligently (in good faith towards liberal humanist values) develop a discipline that produces virtues of honesty and compassion.
By this rationale it is not the path that you follow: even hedonism, practiced with self reflexive consideration can produce wisdom.
The commonality is to discipline your excess to achieve understanding.