Why is Buddhism and Taoism not considered to be religions like Islam or Christia

Question:

Why is Buddhism and Taoism not considered to be religions like Islam or Christianity ?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Buddhism and Taoism are not monotheistic like Islam or Christianity. However all of them have a lot of ideas in common - like love, respect and honesty. The main difference is that Buddhism and Taoism aren't dependent on an omnipotent sentient being overseeing everything.

Some people like to group these schools of thought together under the imprecise banner of the word 'religion' and some choose to restrict the notion of 'religion' to theistic or monotheistic religion.

Its a matter of choice and semantics. Mostly irrelevant to me. I think that we should just get on with the business of spreading love and compassion and not spend so much time worrying over what banners we march under.