I recently finished reading 'The Lord of Light' by Roger Zelazny [wikipedia summary here] which was excellent!

As a result, I borrowed a book from the library, intent on learning more about Buddhism, which I've always felt was one of the less silly religions. I was disappointed. :( It seems that the religions demands such absurd sacrifices on the part of the devout that they must sponge off the rest of society. Get others to provide you shelter, have common worshippers bring you your food. Doze all day and dream of extinction.

Contemplating ones navel, the true path? Pah!