re·li·gion
1.
a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.
As you can see from that definition worship of a figure is not entirely necessary. The fact that it is almost universal speaks more about our own needs as humans when it comes to placing our faith in a spiritual belief system. Manifest Path would to my mind qualify against definition 3 and 4. Of course this is the "modern" definition of religion.
