Hmm....interesting this thread has now escalated into a debate very specifically about religion.
My belief is all religions started out with a person or small group that experienced anything from Contact, to Paranormal phenomena, to Visions, Divine Inspiration, etc. And after that a Message is formed, usually the Message is the same, but throughout the ages these Messages are quickly contaminated, due to the majority of corrupt controllers who deliberately alter the Message to their advantage, then THEY form what is the "religion". A set of rules and laws that you must abide, or otherwise you are warned with an eternal burning hell, instilling fear so you definitely follow those ORDERS.
I can say more, but enough for now
