FriarTed wrote:
Yes, indeed. 
“Religion” is not the same thing as “theology”. It is more a mindset that serves to tie people together . That’s what “religion” means in Latin , " something that ties together"
In my understanding, you’re not wrong. There’s still metaphysics aplenty to be had in Buddhism, and there’s different schools and focuses on different formulations of them, but metaphysics, theology in general, just doesn’t have the same core importance it does in “Western’” religion.
That depends on whether or not you want a skillful elaboration. I only do clumsy ones.
Comes down to it, I can’t really argue with anyone who wants to say Buddhism isn’t a religion, and that it’s a philosophy instead. They have a point, after all; most definitions of “religion” place the most importance on the supernatural (whatever the hell that’s supposed to be, but that’s a whole other can of worms), which Buddhism, for the most part, simply doesn’t, since its focus is on the here and now and what to do with our time, rather than much speculation (much less dogmas) about whatever may come after/before/alongside it.
So it comes down to how you (“you” here in the generic sense) define religion, what it means to be religious, and why you need those definitions to be made in whatever way you make them. And I don’t reallly have a good strong definition of it that I need to be one way or the other, so all I can really offer is the unsatisfactory fact that most of the time you’re going to find books on Buddhism under “religion” and not “philosophy.” If there’s a shift there, and all of a sudden all the Buddhist stuff is in the philosophy racks, I’ll pick them up there instead. 
I wanted to work in one of my favorite quotes, attributed to the current Dalai Lama, somewhere or other in the above. But I couldn’t figure out where, so I’ll just stick it here. “My religion is kindness.” Would that were true–or at least strived for–for everyone.
Born a Roman Catholic. Still am. I lived under a strict rule at home, so became an Altar Boy, received the sacraments: First Communion and Confirmation. I was baptized as a baby, but don’t remember it.
Went into the USAF at 17 and became what used to be called a Fallen away Catholic. Pretty much stayed that way during my Air force years. I went to Mass when I was home to please my parents. I just kind of stayed in the background when religion was discussed, either at home during leave or in the service. I guess I wasn’t really into it.
After discharge, I went back home and resumed my faith but not wholeheartedly. I was young, had girlfriends, drank some, etc. Not the ideal Catholic, at least not in my parents home. I only stayed with my parents about 6 months after being discharged and went to work for a company where I had to do some travelling. It was the greatest experience of my life. My work after the AF was varied and the people I worked with were varied and I learned a lot. I was still pretty much ‘fallen away’, but I was enjoying myself.
Then I met a girl. 
She was a convert to Catholicism of all things. She was lured by the promise of the Church and the beauty of the liturgy. She kind of dragged me back, kicking and screaming, but back none the less. I went to confession, cleaned up my act, and am back to stay.
Many years later, we’re still married (and yes, we have 7 children) and still Catholics. I have questioned and investigated other faiths, but am really not that interested in changing.
Right and wrong lead to happiness . That’s how god designed it : you do the wrong thing and sooner or later you have to pay a price for it .
As for the "long ,drawn out process " by which I arrived at my beliefs , to properly explain it I would need to write a book . To try to explain it here would open up af can of worms ,since I would be making statements contrary to other people’s sacred beliefs ; everyone would misconstrue what I say and be turned off
My faith is Christianity. I’ve been in that faith all my life but my life experience has strengthened it.
My denomination if Evangelical Lutheran. The ELCA has an open stance on gays and lesbians and my own congregation does in particular. We are a reconciling in Christ congregation in that any believer may take communion with us regardless of sexual orientation, gender identiry, marital status, etc. This is important to me because of some very bad experiences my family went though with the Southern Baptist church when my brother came out.
“Nothing”
That’s what I’d answer when someone asked what religion I was, when I was a child. My mother was “nothing” and my father was Catholic. I was never baptized, which caused my aunt Barbara great consternation.
I think my mother believed in God, but I’m not sure, because we never spoke of it much.
I’m still shopping around for a religion. I still can’t find anything that “fits.”
Flabbygirlyman said, ““Religion” is not the same thing as “theology”. It is more a mindset that serves to tie people together . That’s what “religion” means in Latin , " something that ties together”"
I don’t doubt that translation, but in the current American sense of the word, I think most people interpret it as a god-worshipping organization.
Drastic, it struck me as a philosophical endeavor, also. I find it attractive because it leaves it all up to the individual and their experience in life rather than carving out a means to an end, as so many other religions do. I will definitely read more about it. Thanks.
Although it’s not a religion, I read the Tao Te Ching, and thought, “Wow, this guy thinks like I do; we must be right…”
I really don’t understand how otherwise intelligent people can believe in regular religions, but it no longer surprises me that they do.
Its refreshing to read that so many actually take the time to choose their beliefs instead of accepting Mom and Dad’s hand-me-down religion.