What things make up a religion?

There are three dimensions to a religion:

(1) Who or what is God. Little attention is given to focus clearly on this. This dimension is the corner stone of a religion. The more clearly one defines God for one's self, the more successful is atonement achieved with one's God.

(2) Articles of faith. Articles of faith are the means to achieve atonement with God. Living up to the articles of faith puts one in the grace of God. Falling short of them, causes one to become penitent, and through prayer atones with God, and again, achieves a state of grace with God.

(3) Tradition. Practices of conducting one's life according to the articles of faith and atonement is the most changeable of a religion. As long as atonement and grace is achieved with one's God, tradition may vary.