Does forming an atheist community pose a risk to becoming a religion?

[Brian37]

I am an atheist, however, I have not attended formal meetings with other atheists / non-theists to have a discussion about atheism. Would holding formal gatherings to discuss atheist ideas create something "religious" in character (such as weekly church attendance) if these meetings were focused around discussing the disbelief in god(s)? 

I personally have been a little reluctant towards formalized meetings to discuss "atheism", however I would be interested to hear what other peoples thoughts are.

Anything can be treated like a religion. But the word "atheist" itself merely means "off". 

There are groups of atheists that have formed clubs they like to call "atheist churches" in an attempt to compete with religion, I do not see that as a good idea. You do not need to call yourself a religion, or church. And if your club/church sets up moral lists and leadership rolls, that can long term, create ridged interpretations and or splits within that same group of people. 

Our species behaviors are not magically dictated by belonging to a club or claiming a label. Cruelty and compassion are observable behaviors worldwide. If all 7 billion humans were atheists, there would still be different groups, still conflicts and crime. The only thing atheists have in common is "off". Outside that we also vary in our politics, classes, nationalities and can be good or bad as individuals.