I believe there is life on other planets. That is an idea about the nature of the universe. Is that a religious idea?
According to the definition of religion, yes.
You are twisting one small portion of the definition of religion to try to make atheism fit. It doesn't.
I showed you step by step how it is a logical thought process and is not twisting anything, and you still went there. This is pointless until you understand how logic works, and I can't help you any more than that.
What other characteristics of atheism make it like a religion?
The very idea that there isn't a god is religious in nature. If you discuss it with someone, you're discussing the possibility of a religious entity, regardless of whether you think it is not possible at all or you think it's a guarantee or anywhere in between. Atheism doesn't exist without the idea there is no god, which is a religion based idea.
Is there belief in a god? Is there a holy book? Is there a church? Are there rituals and traditions? Is there prayer? A sense of community? A moral code?
None of these are required for a religion. You probably think of a religion as having these things because they are familiar icons of religion to you, but none of them are required.
A religion can be any belief you have about the cause, nature, or purpose of the universe. That's a broad definition, but nothing else is required.
By that definition, physics can loosely be defined as a religion too. Should we start lobbying that physics should no longer be taught in public schools?
Sure. After all, we've seen all sorts of decisions like that throughout the history of U.S. education.
For example, first evolution wasn't taught in schools, now creation isn't allowed to be taught in public schools.
Here's an idea. Teach the students all major theories equally and let them decide for themselves based on the information. Physics, evolution, creation, and everything else. What a novel concept - teaching students to think for themselves. That last line was sarcasm, by the way.
I'm going to go ahead and declare victory in this debate over Bistiza. His logic is poor and he is too dumb to see the flaws in his argument or understand the sophistication of my argument.
Too bad I've made a logical point you can't seem to grasp, let alone defeat.