I am currently reading Clapton's biography, and studying the bands simultaneously. I would need to rectify my earlier list, and put Blind Faith at the bottom. Derek and the Dominos may even move up further. As for the religious part, folks, according to Clapton (himself), he didn't look at himself as a religious person, and didn't even have much faith in God until his second experience in rehab, when he found himself praying, and found the ability to fight the demons that were plaguing him. I am to the early 90's in his career, after his son died, and he still does not act overly religious. Have his experiences given him faith in a higher power? Yes. Is he over the top religious? Far from it...

cream just because they made white room witch is my top three songs

Not really a band as such, but I do love his collaboration with B.B King, Riding With the King. Haven't really listened to much of his other stuff though, so I'm a poor judge.