 Taoism is practiced as a religion in various Asian communities , but its theology is not foundationally dependent on the existence of an anthropomorphic godlike figurehead ( even though some communities do worship Laozi as the attributed founder of the philosophical doctrine , as well as other deities from ancient Chinese folklore ) ; on a theological basis , the Taoist religion has more affinities with pantheistic traditions around the world , given its philosophical emphasis on the formlessness of the Tao and the primacy of the " Way " rather than anthropomorphic concepts of " God " . 
