One must remember that many different philosophies that deal with the meaning of life, how to live it and what happens when life ends are to be found under the broad category of "religion". Not all religions have a belief in deities at their center.
The status of Scientology as a religion varies around the world. It is viewed as a strictly commercial operation in many countries and by many of its detractors. In others it has been granted official legal status. It was officially recognized by the IRS in the United States in 1993 as a exclusively religious and charitable organization.
Being able to prove that your organization's resources are used exclusively for expressing and furthering its religious teachings and for carrying out charitable endeavors, will provide official LEGAL status under the laws that govern religious groups in the US.