Question

Hello Rabbi Michael Abraham,
Not long ago I heard the view (mainly in Religious Zionist circles) that Judaism is not really a religion at all, but rather a nation. That is, there is a nation—the Jewish people—and that is the focal point; and in addition to that nation it has its own laws, its own culture, its own beliefs, etc., and identifying Judaism as a religion stems from a mistake. 
Do you have an opinion on the matter: is Judaism a religion with national characteristics, or a nation with its own laws and beliefs? Is there a major difference between these two definitions, or do they mean the same thing in your view? And what implications are there (if any) between these two definitions (for example in relation to secular Jews)?
Thank you very much