Religion is defined as the following:
Not to be confused with Atheism which is not a belief in the opposite, but a lack of belief.
Religion espouses the belief, at the base level, of a supernatural creator that has domain over the earth, universe and what we perceive as existence and beyond. The main difference between various types of religion involves how man perceives and promotes the identity and intent of this so-called "creator."
Many consider Buddhism to be a Philosophy rather than a Religion because the most common type of Buddhism does not involve or promote belief in a supernatural creator/diety. Instead it relates to the understanding of certain psychological and sociological concepts that affect how man perceives the world and his society and how one can improve life by addressing these aspects. Buddhism is more like Vegetarianism: It's a series of ideological concepts that suggest an alternate way one can live their life, and not centered around worship of anything supernatural. However, like any popular belief system, variations of these ideas have morphed into more flamboyant and supernatural sects.
Last updated by Nelson Mar 5, 2009.