What is the difference between philosophy and religion? I am attending a weekly

What is the difference between philosophy and religion? I am attending a weekly

What is the difference between philosophy and religion? I am attending a weekly "Philosophy Class" but the group does not study any of the Philosophers or their works nor do we "philosophize", i.e. pick holes in philosophical statements, etc. We are read lines from the Upanishads and from the "teachings" of an Indian teacher and we are expected to accept these "teachings" as fact. The "teachings" include stories such as that of a woman had reached a high level on the path to realisation (after many re-incarnations of living spiritual lives) and had reached a state where fear was eliminated and she lived a life of bliss. Surely it would not be practical or possible to live a life where fear is eliminated. Is the emotion of fear not essential for survival? Also is life not a series of experiences of pain and pleasure? In any case if we question the teacher we are given his explanation of the story which we are expected to accept. Is this a Religion Class as opposed to a Philosophy class? We meditate (to reach a state of consciousness) and we we are expected to hold the one creed that Unhappiness is caused solely by Desire. Surely there are a whole load of factors or at least we should be entitled to hold the opinion that cause unhappiness such as life's ups and downs and the hand we are dealt?

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