You’re correct. They are identical, so it makes no practical difference. There are tens of thousands of homes done with romex where the neutrals and grounds are landed together because there weren’t enough places to separate them. Safe. No violation.
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So much wrong here
1st just because they are bonded together does NOT mean they are the same.
2nd it is called a neutral bar and grounding bar for a reason
3rd electricity will always go back to it source, meaning the transformer, so if your neutral conductor’s is tied to your grounding bar you are sending power ( amps) though the casing of the panel, not so if you connect the neutral conductor to the neutral bar.
4th just because it was ok at one time does not mean it is right or safe, we do learn things over time to make things better and safer
5th you sir are the reason there is a NEC codes.
“ shoot low boys their riding shetland ponies”