Are Buddhists really atheists?

Atheists in the West claim that Buddhists are atheists, so they (the atheists in the West) feel better that they are not the only atheists in the world.

My purpose is to ask Buddhists whether they really deny that God exists.

From my part, I know from my reason and intelligence that God exists.

So, paging Buddhists, please come over and let us discuss whether you Buddhists really deny God exists.

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yrger · 80-89, M

@Roundandroundwego

Tell me, is Buddhism to you a religion or a philosophy.

And are you a Westerner who read about Buddhism from atheists in the West who want to co-opt Buddhism as also an atheistic philosophy, by claiming that the ancient teacher Gautama of the Far East was also godless like themselves (atheists in the modern West)?

Roundandroundwego · 56-60

@yrger Buddhism is a really big category including the religious traditions of many countries and highly developed systems of philosophy from many countries. In general it traces its roots to a single Indian founder and is about our human quests for enlightenment and salvation.
Nobody can really avoid Buddhism or its influence. As a Buddhist I'd be a follower of toaism as well, putting me in the Zen school of thought.

Roundandroundwego · 61-69

@yrger I'm a western person who lived with Buddhists from Japan and studied philosophy for many years, even getting a degree in it. I also followed the dalai lama of Tibet and Zen schools of modern Buddhism. To me Buddhism is a large group of philosophy and religion.
The western person is also influenced by Buddhism, it's a fast spreading thing.