Ed T says

"Is the persuit of a good scotch a religion?"

according to the OED, if it is done with great devotion, I guess it is.

>>A pursuit or interest followed with great devotion<<

As I said before though, I would not use the word "religion" to describe Atheism. So obviously I would not us "religion" to describe Whiskyism. But I do think that the behavior of strong adherents to any cause can be very similar to that of the worst of religious people.

The defense of certain definitions of folk music is not a religion. But it can seem that it is reading many posts above the line.