I would suggest that a "religion" and a "spiritual path" are two completely different things; as different as a six-lane highway and a forest trail.
A religion is, as has already been said on this thread, essentially a political control system, whereby a ruling elite keeps everyone else obedient and subservient through the fear of divine punishment. Its essence is faith, which is simply a shorthand way of saying an opinion for which no unambiguous corroborating evidence exists. In a religion all the answers are provided for you, and all you need to do is believe what you are told to believe, without any necessity to think about it or ask awkward questions. Indeed, many religions expressly forbid "thinking" of any kind.
A spiritual path is essentially experiential; there are no pre-digested answers, no Holy Books, no dogmas. There may be guides, but no gurus; guidelines (such as the Wiccan Rede), but no Ten Commandments. Free inquiry, asking questions, deciding on your own answers, are encouraged - even mandatory (any spiritual guide worth listening to positively welcomes awkward questions). "Think for yourself - question authority" is the only mantra.
All religions come from the same source; but every spiritual path is different. Occasionally you might walk part of your path in company with like-minded others; but for the most part, you are very much on your own.
Religions are for the masses; spiritual paths are for individuals.
May your own Path bring you joy and love and fufillment.
Alchymist.
