Redlambs
Creator of the Caftards comics
Well, it would be the same thing as any science. I don't have the means to observe an atom, but I can have good confidence that scientists have.
Indeed, we only know how to count to ten because we are told that is correct.
However, sciences move forward and religion never seems to. Not that I want our conversation here to turn into all that, because as you correctly point out I personally don't know an atom is real, however I am not quoting science books to you yet you are quoting something you have no real knowledge of to me.
That's the difference, and I hope you get my meaning by that.
Your concern is legitimate. many man-made religions do in fact seek to do this and all other religions apart from Christianity will tell you what works you have to do in order to earn God's sympathy. There is none of that in Christ. In Christ, the work is finished. Christ conquered death and the forces of evil at the place of the cross and rose to new life, ensuring the resurrection from the dead to everlasting life of all those buried with him (all those whose sins are atoned for by Christ's death on the cross. The substitutionary really does nail our old, sinful nature to the cross with Christ).
So still my question remains unanswered though, why the need for religion at all? I've enjoyed this discussion with you and I honestly thank you for being patient and answering my questions, but what I've learned so far is that God (as I hoped) judges us all on, let's say merit for lack of a better word right now, and he's tolerant and welcoming of all people regardless of what they believe if they live up to what he expects.
So why? Why the need to subject myself to something you agree could be tainted by man?