I wasn't dismissing religion -- or anything else -- out of hand. It's just not something that I can be convinced to agree with. Similarly, those who have religions aren't going to be convinced to drop them. It's a matter of faith that is by its very nature a matter of personal opinion. It's not like a theory in science, or social science, in which the point is to convince others of its veracity using logic, empirical evidence, and methodological strictures, until an even better theory comes along. (Policy is also important, but you have to derive policy from some sort of theory.)
If, on the other hand, Buddhism isn't a faith or religion but is instead merely a general framework for "how to live a good life," then we can judge its success or failure in practice. (Unless success can only be seen in nirvana, which seems non-observable.)
Jim D.