Exploring Faith

The funniest things have been happening with me recently regarding faith.

Finding out about a long lost uncle who converted to Christianity from Islam thirty or so years ago. I've been trying to get him back in touch with his sister, my mother.

On another note, lot's of debates and discussions about religion have been going on over the past few days. Mainly regarding Islam, but generally religion itself, and even God. Of course I do not see theism as being religious, it just indicates that you believe in a higher power. Religiousness implies worshipping God AND following some rules (or guides, however you wish to see it). Correct me if I'm wrong, but that is how I was brought up to think throughout my religious education classes at school.

I've been looking at Buddhism a lot lately, not as a religion but as a philosophy. I once had a debate about whether it is a religion or philosophy with a friend of mine who used to express his opinion against religions in general, but who later deemed himself as a 'Buddhist'. He argued that it was a philosophy. I've learnt that it is easier to live by philosophies though. Or perhaps not? I think a lot about philosophy and religion. I'd have less trouble following Buddhism as a philosophy than a religion though. People dispute worshipping God because they need proof of His existence. I dispute worshipping the Dalai Lama because he exists in human form. He is a mortal. His teachings and the Buddhist scriptures, however, I could use as a way of life.

The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.

Atisha (11th century Tibetan Buddhist master)

However, even taking the above in a philosophical light and trying to live by those 'philosophies' seems similar to living life through religious rules (or, again, guides). It's just that Buddhism seems to put it more clearly, more selflessly.