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Shintoism has gods, but as I understand it the gods are not anthropomorphic. In this regard it reminds me a little bit of some native American spirituality (the belief that every living thing has a spirit worthy of respect). It is also why I believe that Shintoism can coexist with religions that have anthropomorphic god figures; they are not threatened by Shintoism (and visa versa).

As I understand it, Buddhism is more of a philosophy that a religion. Buddhists follow the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who was a mortal man. He taught about Karma and the path to enlightenment (Nirvana). The highest enlightenment one can achieve is Buddha, and people who reach this level are also called Buddhas. Siddhartha Gautama is the original Buddha and is sometimes called Gautama Buddha, where Buddha is an honorific rather than a name. Since Siddhartha Gautama was never deified himself nor considered the son of a deity Buddhism does not seem to fall into the classifications of other religions that do have a diety(ies). In Buddhism, the goal is more enlightenment that eternal life after death (although some Buddhists believe that the highest level of enlightenment does allow one to transcend the material world).

Another aspect that seems to differentiate Buddhism from mainstream religions is that Buddhists have never started wars nor inflicted genocide on other people.

Willie,

I can't save you from anything you don't want to save yourself from. Of myself I can do nothing. It is all about you and some bible practices are a means and not "the way". I'm not certain what it is in the bible that has caused you so much pain but I would rather you know that the Master might have a different opinion.

Since you know the bible so well take only the words of Jesus and pull them inside you for the true guidance that you can have for yourself. Jesus doesn't want you to make him your father he wants you to stand next to him as a brother.

Peace to you my brother. Sr. Genevieve

I believe religion is the root of all evil. All you need do is look at history and around the world today to realize that. I believe in God. I believe in Jesus. But I don't think I can speak for either one of them. I do not think anyone can be an atheist. I think it is against our natural instinct and our desire for survival to say that. We as humans need to believe there is life after death and a benevolent God. It is not a question of choice or intellectual decision. So-called Intellectuals or pseudointellectuals make those comments. However, these are just my ideas and my thoughts. I do not want to support or influence others in believing as I do. Instead I'll see you in the next life, if there is one, and we'll compare notes.

I once walked away from Christianity after growing up in it because it all looked fake. I thought I'd learned too much to believe in it anymore.

Later, I met some real Christians. Not only did they believe, but they lived it. The Holy Spirit was radiating out of them.

In spite of myself, I repented and gave myself to the Lord Jesus. (He IS Lord whether we want Him to be or not). When I did, I found real freedom, just as Jesus promised. I also came to realize that all of the arguments I thought I had against Christianity were full of holes. They were handed to me by atheists, but had no real teeth to them.

I am thankful to God for His unspeakably wonderful gift!

Did the thought ever occur to you that when someone says that this or that is wrong, they don't make up the rules, but are simply following what God has said to mankind through all of the ages?

Did the thought ever hit you that it might be Love speaking such things, and not hate?

If your mother loved you, she would tell you NOT to touch a hot stove, or NOT to eat too much candy no matter how good it tastes. If your father loved you, he would teach you NOT to play in traffic, no matter how thrilling the adventure.

Restraints are not signs of hatred and judgementalism. I am GLAD that God has pointed out the pitfalls that satan places in the world. Isn't that love??

I was placed in a Catholic boarding school for 9 years against my will. Those 9 years were the worst years of my life as I was physically and emotionally abused by nuns. To this day , I can't stand the sight of a nun or priest. I grew to hate and dispise Catholicism and all it stands for. As I grew up, I went to two Christian churches which left a very bad taste in my mouth. I was totally disrespected at the the churches I attended. I left vowing never to attend any Christian church ever again. Later on I found out my ancestors were Sephardic Jews from Northern Spain. They were forced to become Catholics or else be slaughtered. Some of my ancestors out of fear converted, and others were killed for not converting. After doing historical research on Martin Luther I realized that he was an anti-semite as he preached that Jews should be eliminated and not be allowed to practice their faith. I realized that Christianity was created to blame Jews for all the evil in the world,just as a murderer like Hitler and others did. I converted to the faith of my ancestors, and feel happy I did as I feel a spiritual and cultural connection to Israel and Judaism. I never felt this connection in Christianity. If what I write offends some people, please accept my apology. I believe in a God who made us in his image and wants the best for us. I also believe the Lord gave a set of commands, with moral values to make our lives better and more spiritually and morally fullfilling. Being made in his image makes us his children.

Hi, Leo, I think we are in agreement that Buddhism does not have "gods", but I still think it is a religion - of course it depends on what your definition is - if religion is simply philosophy wiht a god - then perhaps you are right - but (and I hate to fall back on wikipedia - but it is SO easy) I think there is a certain supernatural element to religion.

Wikipedia says:

A religion is a set of tenets and practices, often centered upon specific supernatural and moral claims about reality, the cosmos, and human nature, and often codified as prayer, ritual, or religious law. Religion also encompasses ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology, as well as personal faith and religious experience. The term "religion" refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction.

Under those guidlelines Buddhism is quite definitely a religion (even without a god) because the idea of enlightenment is (in my opinion) something beyond the "natural" world. (I am not saying enlightenment does not exist per se, but that it is a rather idealist concept - much like infinity.)