Re: religion
I agree and that's why I hate for true Christianity to be called a religion. True Christianity is a relationship with God the creator of the heavens and earth, who loved His people so much that he suffered and died and did everything needed to saved them. Those who love Him will spend eternity with Him in a blissful relationship that no words can describe.
True Christianity is not a dull discipline of going through the motions so we can hope to please God and do enough to gain salvation, but a growing in love and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ who we know has saved us by grace alone so that we are free from the misery of having to work for his favor and love. We share in His sufferings in a fallen world filled with sin and misery, but even this is a privilege we should rejoice in.
Phil. 3:10
That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
1 Peter 4:13
But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.