as a buddhist I must correct you on your use of this analogy. buddhist monks didnt believe in god. They believed in the teachings of the buddha. Buddha was never to be worshipped as a god. He simply provided the rules to being a good human being. god didnt save the monk, the teachings(teacher) did. Its made very clear in the teachings not to treat buddha as god for he is simply a man who achieved enlightenment (not godhood or anything rediculous). The lesson isnt about religion (since buddhism isnt a religion) its about knowledge. Also monks take an oath and follow different rules than regular non monk buddhists such as myself. If you want to believe in God, then use a christian/western example, please.