Let me give a few examples: the idea of immaculate conception can be found in the narratives of the Buddha, Lord Vishnu, and Jesus Christ. Self sacrifice and subsequent resurrection are found with both Odin and the World Tree, and Christ on the Cross. (I'm a former Christian, so I'm sorry for the focus on that- it's what I'm familiar with.)
Basically, my question is this: Is there an easy way for me to view how religious ideas and central beliefs have borrowed and evolved from each other? A certain book, or visual source that uses many examples? Thanks.
Also, if this question doesn't do well here, is there another subreddit where it would be more appropriate?
Sorry to be nitpicky, but just fyi: "immaculate conception" refers to the Catholic doctrine that Mary was conceived free from original sin in order to be a vessel as God-bearer.
Maybe someone at /r/academicbiblical can offer some insight?
I rarely encounter anyone academic who does this, because simply because things look similar doesn't mean they're related (pyramids in South America != pyramids in Egypt). The technical term is parallelomania, introduced by Sandmel in his essay which you should read here. He's talking primarily within a Christian context but extends it further, and the points are the same regardless of what context you're in- what looks similar only looks similar because you've stripped away all the context.