I simply ask, What is more important? The moral or the story?
The moral 'Success comes to the prepared' is a perfectly sound, rational and wise moral. However, the tale (or fable) from which it comes is CLEARLY not believable. Is it more important to understand and agree with or accept that success comes to the prepared, or is it more important to actually believe that three little pigs actually built houses and a big, bad wolf physically huffed and puffed and blew two of the 3 houses down?
The morals that are allegedly taught by Jesus (and are NOT unique or new to Christianity, BTW) are perfectly fine and well worth paying attention to; Do unto others, Love thy neighbor as thyself, Love thy enemies, etc. But to expect me to believe the rest of what is essentially a 2000 + year old set of iron-age, middle eastern myths centered around an ancient Hebrew desert war god and his alleged son stretches credulity to the breaking point for me.
If your religion makes you a better person - if it makes you kinder, more caring, more charitable, more loving, more understanding and compassionate to your fellow man, then I am ALL FOR IT. Unfortunately, for many millions of their followers, the 3 faiths of the god of Abraham and Isaac do little more than teach their faithful new and improved ways to HATE their fellow man, and I want nothing to do with such bullshit.
And finally, your point about the ride in the car with the carjacker is perfect. I simply say "Jesus loves you, but if you don't love him back he will hurt you forever."