Are you asking a question Goodlife?
I think you might be pointing out that many people substitute politics and nationalism for religion in order to satisfy a human need to belong. Until the 19th century that need to belong could only be satisfactorily fulfilled by religion - all members of a faith felt they were members of a group. They would adopt the symbols and practices of their faith and meet together once a week in the base of the group (the church).
It might seem odd but I think football today fulfils that need in many people. Those who term themselves 'supporters' of a particular club act in exactly the same way as those who class themselves as religious. They adopt the colours and traditions of their chosen club, they associate with fellow supporters of that club and they religiously meet those fellow supporters once a week in the base of the group (the football ground).
Football fulfils the need for those individuals to feel they belong to a group as does religion for believers. I think you are making the point that politics and nationalism does the same for others.