Is Buddhism a secular religion as a whole?

I had a discussion about this with my friend the other day. I consider myself an atheist but I am very inspired by eastern philosophy and I believe in enlightenment and I am starting to drift towards be a belief in reincarnation. I myself interpret Buddhism only as philosophy and spirituality, and the “gods” as not literal beings but metaphors. Still my friend said most buddhists believe in god. I find this somewhat of a contradiction regarding the anti dogmatism and focus on the eradication of self, etc. What are your thoughts on this?