To whit, "believing that your life got substantially better or worse following an election" would not be a religious belief. This is because it can be tested, and would have a simple cause/effect based in physical reality. It might be an intangible "I feel better about things because I know people agree with me, and think that people in positions of political power will support my interests" -- but there's nothing supernatural about that.
As was said, if you want to redefine the word "religion" to mean "any sort of belief system", then sure, go for it. It's a great way to troll and provoke arguments.
For me atheism & nihilism go a bit hand in hand, but there are atheists who aren't nihilists, which then have to still level their disbelief in god with faith in meaningfulness
Which beliefs do you take on faith? Which would have you outcast if you didn’t believe them? Which lead you to a personal sacrifice? Which beliefs cause great anxiety or pleasure with no tangible evidence?
Not comprehensive but those are categories of beliefs elevated to religious in nature.
For example, believing that the Lakers are the best basketball team probably is not religious, but believing that your life got substantially better or worse following an election would be a religious belief.