Hello!
Sorry to hop into this conversation randomly, but isn't religion just a word? People assign it to differing beliefs about existence and thus the practices that are part of those beliefs. But does it actually matter whether we consider our Christian faith a religion or not? What I mean is, religion is a technical sounding word the world uses to describe Christianity (and other belief systems besides atheism). And in a technical way, a Christian might consider themselves part of a religion and mean nothing by it. They might just be trying to be "technical". At the same time, that exact Christian could have a wonderful and close relationship with God and be a genuinely saved convert.
My point here is this: Religion is a word used by man, and yes, sometimes even by Christians. But it is a word. What really matters in the life of a Christian, to me, seems to be whether or not their Christianity is characterized by legalistic religious works or a genuine relationship with God the Father-whether they're trying to earn their way into heaven, or know with confidence that they are saved by grace through faith and live in freedom and service of the King they love.