"Q: How does man become reunited with God(Heaven)?
A1: Judaism/Islam/Buddhism/Hinduism/New Ageism/etc: Earned."
is simplistic and not theologically sound by the tenants of their beliefs.
"Works" by themselves will not take you to God but ABSOLUTE faith in God can lead you to God and if you acknowledge God as the center and power in your life then that change in you should be reflected in your "works"; otherwise faith and seeking have not brought you to God, you're just going through the motions and the ritual and mouthing words of belief that you do not live. That "living" is not, as you would say a way to "earn" something with God; it is a reflection of living your faith in God.
Is what I believe many Jews and many Bhuddists would tell you, concerning their beliefs.
Your right that their are differences between those religions as to what constitutes "earned". I was making it "simplistic" for the sake of brevity.