I think that you may need to read more about the philosophy of buddhism in that they were ideas put forward to live by and if they don't work, throw them out. Philosophical buddhism postulates nothing about an afterlife. Siddhartha, the first buddha, when asked about what happened after death said that he didn't know. And before you accuse me of being religious, I'm a raducal atheist and anti theist. There is a buddhist religion, but that's because people can make a religion of anything and it's more a blend of buddhism and hinduism which was the religion of the time, but there is a distinctly separate buddhist philosophy

@Cyklone My point was that the definition of a religion may, but need not, include a deity on offer. I am aware that Buddhism, Taoism, and some others don't have a deity unless some sub-sect bolts one on. I borrow a few ideas from Buddhist philosophy and am well acquainted with a couple of people who practice Zen Buddhism.

@mordant point.

Like when the Buddhists in Myanmar kill and drive out the Rohinga people because they are Muslim. Is this a philosophical or a religious decision ?

I don't think that's true. I think both allow you to adapt and change. And I agree with @Stacey48 that that's not in any definition of philosophy I've heard of.

@Stacey48 @tnorman1236 I didn't say it was a definition. Forgive me, perhaps I should have said that one of the characteristics of a philosophy is that it must be inherently able to change. I still say that neither Buddhism nor Taoism is capable of that.

How do you see yourself Josephr ? You obviously think outside the box that is why you don’t fit in one. What do you say you are when asked?

@Marionville Thanks for asking. I see and describe myself, in this context, as a secular hereditary Jew who has rules for himself; to friends i explain that the self-direction includes always behaving truthfully, honestly, openly, and with empathy. I'll add that Taoist principles as published have inspired many of my beliefs and behaviours. I also know that what 'i don't know" far exceeds 'what i do know, ' so one of my jobs here (in life) is to learn.

Is that more info than you wanted? LLOL

@josephr I like your reply. You are obviously a man at peace with himself. As individuals we are living, thinking animals and can call ourselves whatever we think we are. That is what distinguishes us from the lower orders of species. I subscribe to all your principles and refer to myself as a humanist.

@Marionville You are perceptive. I am at peace with myself and the world in which i function. Thank you for seeing that

You have a wonderful view of humanity, our world, and our role which obviously matches mine. Maybe that's why i believe it is wonderful. LLOL

Seriously though, i periodically search for an easy label to use for describing what i believe, toyed with humanist and humanism as it is defined by others, but when i tested it out to see what others understood it to mean, blank looks was my response. So my inner jury is still out about that and i still describe who i am instead of labelling myself. It's all good though.

Now i need to go to bed. Thanks for the chat. Cheers.

For some. LLOL