Buddhism was and is a social movement in India.

All three. I'm not Buddhist but I enjoy reading what they preach. They don't flaunt their religions like Christians do in this country

Of course Buddhist is a religion, however if you are comfortable being one than it is okay. Just enjoy it.

More a religion in the far east; more a philosophy in the west.

It is purely philosophical

Both

Some do some don't, my wife is a Buddhist, what she does seems like a religion to me.

You are probably more qualified than I am to answer that question, since you have first-hand experience with it.

Why the notion of "or"?

You are the Buddhist, why don't you tell us?

Yes.

Does buddhism help widows and orphans in need?

Religion because they believe in reincarnation

Many of the Buddhist sects are religious. They have a dogma and rituals, therefore religions.
You can practice the Buddhist way of life on your own, then it become more philosophical.
Buddha didn't want people to idolize him, but to chose the "middle way" in life.... be reasonable in your choices.
And no idols, that why he died in the forest with just the man who was helping him.... somewhat alone. He wasn't interested in the cult of personality, but in teaching in living with acknowledgement of suffering. Life is a painful process, try to make it easier on yourself.... no religiosity in this...

I know that Buddah is sort of a title for a person that has reached Nirvana (peace and happiness, even perfection) and is free from suffering. Although there is no God or superior Being creator of everything, there is belief, a set of teachings, worshipping, and FAITH, which make a case for religion. I'm not against statues and symbols, but people tend to treat such objects with a degree of adoration and, worse, attach fortune to them.

Just like Chritianity. Buddhism has both a philosophical and a purely religious sides. Christianity has religious scholars and sects ( e.g. Jesuits). Buddhism has its scholarly practioners ( do not know what they call themselves).

To look at the historical texts in an scholarly fashion in order to ascertain intended meanings, or review changes in doctrine in order to understand trends and the evolution of thought to understand the present as an academic pursuit exists in all religions.

Religion is perhaps better described as the everyday practice as understood by the general practitioners. Phiilosophy on the other hand is a more academic, scholarly look at the foundations and histories of the religion.

Regardless, they are all misguided and often taint their work by embracing and employing preconceived biases.

I'm told that some sects embrace a divine aspect to Buddha. That divinity puts it into the realm of religion. I've also heard that other sects are secular in nature. That's philosophy.

What matters is how you became a Buddhist.....did you pick up a book and start chanting all by yourself ????? Are you following family traditions ????? What are your thoughts when you might light up some incense sticks and offer some fruit to a Jade Buddha???????? I respect your honest question to Atheists here.....seeking nirvana and rethinking events and feelings in your life can be both a religious cult and a philosophy more resembling detached ethics.....or a ritual that merely relaxes your mind ....you are welcome here friend....I do know some Buddhists who believe there are ghosts demons and magic.....if you want to scare anybody into Buddhism that won't fly here....candid discussions here are good for our community

all religion if following the true practices are good basically its men that radicalize and fight wars to make others convert

following those rules is good don't kill don't lie don't steal respect mom and dad all good but you don't have to be religious to be a decent person and have morals

do you believe in a higher that control the universe? that is a god! a real atheist does not worship anything

I've run into this before that Buddhism is more of a philosophy than a religion. By decrying 'we're not a religion' is simply a means to separate one religion from all other religions (I sometimes refer to it as 'looking down one's nose'. Many other ideologies try to do this every once in a while. People within these religions who actually study the religion (not just mumble words at each other), there comes a point when they start seeing 'religion' and 'cult' as the same. Try defining one without the other. Cult implies something bad to most people. Once that occurs the person no longer wants the two words to be associated and they look for ways to distance their religion from the others.

Neither. Just useless.

Both, I suppose. There can be a fine line.

It depends on what the person believes. I personally look at it as a philosophy and guide to live life without conflicts. However, some people add in a lot of supernatural stories surrounding the origins of the Buddha, which were basically drawn from early religious belief systems and added to the story. If you believe in the supernatural nonsense, then it is a religion, not just a philosophical way in which to live your life.

I think probably a lot of messiah stories started off with a real person whose qualities and life were exaggerated and then supernatural aspects were added in because they thought people needed to be afraid in order to behave well. Also, if the messiah overcomes supernatural forces, it makes them appear more admirable ... at least to the gullible.

Its religion if you believe in God.