Religion is largely a belief in a way of living life. Democracy happens to be the most powerful religion at the moment, heretics can be imprisoned for life such as William Pickard was for manufacturing LSD and sinning against the belief of the congregation. People who disavow themselves entirely of the religion of democracy are laughed at ('sovereign citizens') while those priests who pretend to practice it while violating the tenants ('cops') are revered.

'Democracy' (in practice a republic in places like US) is just a different religion. Without the devoutism of a segment of powerful 'believers', the religion in power switches to a different one.