Remember that atheism is only a lack of belief in gods. Atheists can be just as religious as deists and theists. A religion doesn't always have to be centered around god, but can include socio-economic philosophies, worship of men/government, cults of men and personality, and basically any other irrational belief.
WHILE I agree with you in the context of what religion is, the term "religion" is usually thought of in connection with some "Divine Being", but i understand what you are talking about
but there is one major difference and it is the atheist doesn't "INVOKE" the gods will kill you -
he doesn't believe that his position has some divine "bACKING"
Atheism isn't a cure-al
i fully agree, but most belief system DO CLAIM TO BE THE CURE ALL-
that is were the phrase "the Lard will take care of it" comes from-
the belief in Heaven clearly means that ones problems will cease- so atheism doesn't claim to be a cure all- but lots and lots of religious belief systems do
as Jesse Jackson said KEEP HOPE ALIVE and that is what most religous system sell, cause mankind wants a Hope, and regardless of whether it is true or not
I perfer not put my hope in fairy tales just to say i have a hope