The Definitive Religion And Spirituality Test

The thing that occurs to me, as it often does with this kind of discussion, is that we are attempting to separate ourselves into the afore-mentioned boxes with labels. The online test specifies "religion" but includes agnostics and humanists who, I'm assuming, would not describe their beliefs as religious in any way. Likewise, I usually describe myself as an idealist (which is a philosophical term) rather than how the test result describes me as a pantheist. 

Again, so long as there is no absolute agreement on what "God" is or means, then a religious label has little validity. Raimo asserts a strong disbelief in God and, if that means the kind of personal God as described in Abrahamic religions, then I agree. But other religions have a more expansive concept of God, for example the Hindu Brahman, until you get to Buddhism which is probably better described as a philosophy rather than a religion as it has no deity.

until you get to Buddhism which is probably better described as a philosophy rather than a religion as it has no deity.

They don't think of buddhas as deities but many Buddhist groups treat them like deities e.g. taking their shoes off before standing before the main statue, praying for blessings, offering fruit by placing it in front of the statues etc.  A rose by any other name...

They don't think of buddhas as deities but many Buddhist groups treat them like deities e.g. taking their shoes off before standing before the main statue, praying for blessings, offering fruit by placing it in front of the statues etc.  A rose by any other name...

Sorry to quibble about semantics but you are pointing out similarities in worship practices, not concepts of God. Worship is one reason I would never describe myself as religious because I can't imagine why an omniscient deity would require such a practice. Seems all too human to me (both the requirement and the practice).

Sorry to quibble about semantics but you are pointing out similarities in worship practices, not concepts of God. Worship is one reason I would never describe myself as religious because I can't imagine why an omniscient deity would require such a practice. Seems all too human to me (both the requirement and the practice).

Would you not call the activities I described worship?  I would.

Would you not call the activities I described worship?  I would.

Yes, of course, but that wasn't my point.

Buddhism doesn't have a deity. The fact that some Buddhists choose to worship the Buddha in a similar way to, for example, Christians worship Christ or the Christian God, doesn't change the fact that Buddhism doesn't have a deity. To put it another way: God is not defined by the way humans worship their God.

Yes, of course, but that wasn't my point.

Buddhism doesn't have a deity. The fact that some Buddhists choose to worship the Buddha in a similar way to, for example, Christians worship Christ or the Christian God, doesn't change the fact that Buddhism doesn't have a deity. To put it another way: God is not defined by the way humans worship their God.

Perhaps definition of "atheism" depends upon definition of "god".  The question is If you worship something, isn't that a god or a deity even if you balk from using the term?   I won't push it but I can't help seeing it that way.  Having said that, the core principles of Zen don't seem to require any such activity.  And I am ignorant of most variations of Buddhism but the Tibetan form my friend follows is very service oriented and seems very much like a polytheist religion with each of the buddhas representing something specific that can be prayed for.

OK, I seem to have misunderstood motive

https://www.thoughtco.com/atheism-and-de...ism-449718

"No gods, no beliefs, yet Buddhism encourages devotion. How can that be?
The Buddha taught that the biggest barrier to realization is the notion that "I" am a permanent, integral, autonomous entity.
It is by seeing through the delusion of ego that realization blooms. Devotion is an upaya for breaking the bonds of ego.
For this reason, the Buddha taught his disciples to cultivate devotional and reverential habits of mind. Thus, devotion is not a "corruption" of Buddhism, but an expression of it. Of course, devotion requires an object. To what is the Buddhist devoted? This is a question that may be clarified and re-clarified and answered in different ways at different times as one's understanding of the teachings deepens.
If Buddha was not a god, why bow to Buddha-figures? One might bow just to show gratitude for the Buddha's life and practice. But the Buddha figure also represents enlightenment itself and the unconditioned true nature of all things.
In the Zen monastery where I first learned about Buddhism, the monks liked to point to the Buddha representation on the altar and say, "That's you up there.
When you bow, you are bowing to yourself." What did they mean? How do you understand it? Who are you? Where do you find the self? Working with those questions is not a corruption of Buddhism; it is Buddhism. For more discussion of this kind of devotion, see the essay "Devotion in Buddhism" by Nyanaponika Thera."

Humanist...

Polytheism

Polytheism best suits your religious and spiritual beliefs! Based on your answers, you believe that the Divine takes many manifestations, likely in the form of different angels, spirits, gods, or deities. You respect ancient religious traditions and you have a deep appreciation of mythology. Whether or not you literally believe in multiple gods, you're attracted to new age spirituality, mythology, astrology and ancient forms of wisdom. You're an old soul seeking a spiritual connection to the ancient past!

It says Deist. A number of questionable questions, but at least it is in the right direction.

"Deism best suits your religious and spiritual views! Based on your answers, you believe in God as the source of the universe but you don't believe that God intervenes in our daily lives. A logical and rational thinker, you believe that spirituality doesn't necessarily have to contradict science. You acknowledge the existence of a Higher Power but you don't regularly pray or believe that God takes a direct interest in your personal life. You believe that the laws of nature control the universe and you tend to be suspicious of superstitious beliefs. Many famous philosophers and scientists have been Deists, including most of the Founding Fathers of the United States!"