Did the underground society remind anyone of a religious community?

The committee of elders sitting in judgment, reading from "scripture," and meting out punishments.
(Almost always "to the farm, immediately!" but banishment seemed another possibility)
Strict adherence to a formal dress code and wearing that weird makeup.
Strict rules about sexual relationships.
The large families and how the family members interacted, like at the scene at the picnic table.
No tolerance for alternative viewpoints.
etc.