Defining Religion

I think the hardest question for me work through this semester has been what makes a religion a religion. Can we call groups centered on worshiping Elvis the same as those that worship Jesus Christ, God, Allah, Yahweh, and Atman? This subject has a way of making people uncomfortable because some of these religions seem to take away from what people believe is the true purpose of faith. It's true that people can get inspiration from Elvis, football, baseball, and other things not considered related to the main religions. But i believe there is a difference between admiration, and even infatuation, then deep seeded faith. The difference between these religions and main stream religions is the fact that the followers of main stream religions are following a path looking towards the future for guidance, moral code, a way to live, and spiritual support. It's not just about having the physical aspects of religions like having something that can relate to Eliade or Turner but it is about what is deep in the religion. There is an aspect of divinity that is missing from these religions like the ones based around Elvis. What is the higher purpose for worshiping Elvis, baseball, or football? Is it to live in the same way professional athletes and singers live, because in most cases this seems to prove self-destructive. Athletes and singers are not trying to find the purpose of life or deal with question about divinity, they are simply doing what they love and it is put on for entertainment. Elvis did not try to show people a higher purpose for life or a moral code, people love him because he was an amazing singer, entertainer, and a very interesting person. I think that making these people out to be creators of a religion takes away from those prophets and beings that give people faith, drive, guidance, and support at the deepest level every day.