are the goals so different? i'm not so sure. i think it's the starting point, i.e. the method to the madness, that is different. like both religion and philosophy say "for something to be true it must come from this idea" (god, logic, etc).

and why do you say unfortunately? what's so unfortunate about religion without god? religion's really just a way of saying "it's just like that because it is" when philosophy fails. the beauty is that as time goes forward, philosophy exposes more and more and religion has to make up for less and less.

if someone knows the etymology of the word religion and cares to share, feel free. otherwise, i'll get around to finding it, nailing down its definition and then we can discuss more in depth what being religious really means.