&gt;that is, not beleiving in religious stories achieves the freedom<p>The way to achieve enlightenment is via the Noble Eightfold Path. This does not require non-belief. At some point, one eradicates doubt about the teachings because one has realised the truth for oneself through insight meditation.<p>Enlightenment is nothing as benign as removing faith - it&#x27;s the removing of the need for faith via direct experience.<p>Besides, the teachings cover a far wider range of ideas than rebirth. Not only that, but the Buddha is written to have said that an enlightened person can recollect his or her previous births.