Yes, Christianity is a religion

I'm not going to go into the etymology of the word "religion", lest someone accuses me of using the etymological fallacy. But, for reasons that are beyond my understanding, some years ago (I'd say about a decade at this point, maybe further back than that), there came about some people who wished to be called Christian, but, denied following a religion. Well now, if you're Christian, you follow a religion. I also think, in a country like the United States, where we pride ourselves on religious freedom, this is usually the last thing you want to say. "Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship", as if somehow, the two are mutually exclusive. Well, there goes your tax exempt status. After all, if it's not a religion, it's not legally protected under religious freedom laws. Think about using that same logic, elsewhere. "She's not my wife, but we are married. It's about relationship, not marriage"! And I can say that, because I'm not married. I'm not going to make an exhaustive list, but, at least in English, The Bible never uses the word religion negatively. It is usually either used neutrally, or positively. In fact, The Bible exorts us to be religious in the Epistle of James. Because it's a well-known version, I will be using the King James Version.
"If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world". (James 1:26-27)
Of course, many Christians (myself included) have not lived up to this standard. But, I distinctly remember the guy who made the video about loving Jesus, and hating religion. I love Jesus BECAUSE I love religion. Without religion, I'd have no idea who Jesus is. Without religion, I'd have to make up my own morality (and I've done that, and I am not good at being my own moral guide). I maintain it's impossible to follow Jesus without religion. And, for those that want to dispute this article. Please, show me the chapter and verse where Jesus tells us it's not about religion, it's about relationship. I don't see how the two are mutually exclusive. I think, as a Christian, I would describe my religion as my relationship with Jesus. We haven't got to have an either/or idea about everything.