I'm afraid if your definition of religion is so broad as to include bowling leagues, chess clubs and sports teams, your definition has become pretty meaningless. Humans are capable of becoming so emotionally invested in a topic that they're beyond reason, but that doesn't make them religious. Religion has a very specific, targeted meaning with regard to gods and divine matters.
I'm afraid if your definition of religion is so broad as to include bowling leagues, chess clubs and sports teams, your definition has become pretty meaningless. Humans are capable of becoming so emotionally invested in a topic that they're beyond reason, but that doesn't make them religious. Religion has a very specific, targeted meaning with regard to gods and divine matters.
I'm am using this term to represent a shall we say religious way of thinking. And I don't believe any gods are needed for this mindset.