What is the difference between philosophy and religion?
Philosophy defined, is our unending search for knowledge and wisdom via speculative means. It is, then, the metaphysical “rational and logical” systematic search of knowledge in pursuit of wisdom, by correlating and reconciling this knowledge as we find it, and as we study the research of others.
And it is from these findings that we define our core beliefs, and it is from these core beliefs that we color our worldview.
Religion defined, is our personal belief system of core values held to by faith. These can be set forth as a specific set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons, or by a single person as their own faith credo. It can be an adherence a specific supernatural being (or beings), or a generalization such as nature itself.
Religion can also be the adherence to rules of enlightenment without a deity at all(see atheistic Buddhists). Or simply someone who is extremely zealous about something and follows it devotedly as “a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice”, or injustice, or even a sport (etcetera…). Therefore, philosophy itself, can be a religion.
Further; philosophical pursuits are no more (or less) a “rational discourse and critical thinking” than many religions.
