To gather freely in a community of like minded people who share similar principals and values is not called religion. It is called being human.
Took me a long time to realize that people use words to separate others from God. It is by design, fear is a sense of control and it is the only way the wicked can control you. You can only be truly free when you know God.
Maybe your right on the faith before religion part but I would say being around others to praise something higher than yourself is not religious.
Why would you need somebody else company when you are "talking" to God? Solitude and meditation will help more than others influence, in your discussions with God. The relation with God is private and is only your business. Because is with yourself. God is inside you, not around you, to share with others.
I think you are still early in your journey...
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