i remember my philosophy teacher told us Buddism(i think, maybe it's Taoism) isn't a

is that true? it's something like a way of life or something.

Buddhism doesn't have to be a religion, but in places like Tibet and surrounding countries it is most certainly a religion.

I am guessing this teacher was in a Catholic school?

Any idea that helps someone seek God is a religion.

Wellllll....technically he is right, it is a philosophy....because it is non-theist....it does not believe in a Supreme Being, or some Supernatural Entity.

But in fact, Buddhism still contains many of the characteristics of a system of spiritual practice and belief, yes.

You might say it's a very UN-ordinary form of religion.

Depending on how you define religion, neither of them are. Or both of them are.

Your teacher is wrong.

A religion can be - and often is - a way of life.

Religion does not require the belief in a deity. On no level to Buddhims and Taoism not qualify as a religion.

Taoism is based heavily in philosophy as well as spirituality, and Buddhism is primarily based on self-evident truths. Very different from the Judeo-Christian idea of religion.

However, both have supernatural aspects (reincarnation, spirits, etc), and therefore are religions.

technically and officially it is ...
but it is a philosophy that is applied to life

however it is non theistic ... has no Gods ( although some sects do believe in deities )
so it doesn't fit with the typical religions

There are religious forms of Buddhism (e.g. Shintoism) but the main line of Buddhism is a philosophical system with religious beliefs.

That wouldn't be true for either Buddhism or Taoism. Although both are deeply based on their respective philosophies, both also have a religious aspect.

Your philosophy prof probably meant that Buddism and/or Taoism are not true religions. Or another way to say it is that they are false religions.

Outside of the Catholic Church there is no salvation.

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Lord Buddha gave in a set of sermons that tells and teaches us how to live a right life. So, it is always considered to be a way of life. Yet, no harm in branding it as a religion called Buddhism. Basically, religion needs scriptures. Buddha's sermons and sayings form the scriptures of Buddhism.

Its a religion with a strong vein of philosophy

Depends. Some Buddhists consider themselves religious some don't. It's a pretty open ideology in this case.

It really isn't a religion it's more of a philosophy.

It is a way of life

Yes it is. Now a day anything people follow is a religion. But, the big difference between those religions and Christianity is, Christianity is based on a relationship with Christ. There are commandment and laws, church stuff, but it comes down to one thing, Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?

Buddhism is definitely a religion. Some people claim that it is an atheistic religion and that Buddhists are technically atheists, however I would say that this is a rather twisted and not very useful definition of the term 'atheist'. In any case this may be what's confusing you (or your teacher, for that matter).