Jonathan, for some reason I had always heard (or percieved, even taught), that because God is holy, sin separates us from him and he can't have relationship with us until we accept Christ as our Savior and mediator to him, thus covering us with Jesus' righteousness which then allows us to be included in the family of God and receive eternal life, and be intimate with him. So are you saying that it is really because of our shame over sin that we are separated from him? Not because he is holy? Shame does definitely separate us from God and each other.
These might seem like rambling thoughts . . . and maybe they are. : )
I guess I am still learning about his grace.  I like your perspective, that God showed up immediately after Adam and Eve sinned, to restore.
I too have studied (a little) other religions and what stands out to me, is God's grace reaching out to us, not us trying to reach or work our way to something. 
What was it about Paul and so many early Christians who suffered persecution for their faith? Did they suffer because they took a firm stand about the good news of Jesus? Not that we try to incite others' anger over our beliefs, but I wonder if respecting other religions can cross the line to compromising the gospel. There must be a fine line somewhere.?