“Making stuff up” is how man-made ideas of religion have approached things — including the one that says man slowly rose up from nothing and is therefore his own creator. But it’s not what “religion” — as in recognition of God — does.
There’s always been lots of made-up ones, but only one real one. I used to wonder why worshipping false gods was such a temptation in the Old Testament. Then someone pointed out that it was because the made-up gods were basically seen as “vending machines” — follow this meaningless ritual & you’ll be granted your wish! In modern times we still don’t like the idea of Someone bigger than us that we can’t control, but we have different ways of dismissing/ignoring him.
If you’re thinking that Christianity is such a “religion,” though, you’re mistaken. Historically, Christianity was the one force in the world that raised women above the level of basically being mere property.
“Making stuff up” is how man-made ideas of religion have approached things — including the one that says man slowly rose up from nothing and is therefore his own creator. But it’s not what “religion” — as in recognition of God — does.