Now I think I understand

Some view religion as part and parcel of belief in God. However, many believers view religion as something to be avoided. It is humanities attempt to reach out to God. Christianity on the other hand is understood by many Christians to be God reaching out to humanity. In religion there are behavioral and religious requirements to know and be accepted by God.
The contrasting view is that all God requires is faith and belief in Him and that nothing a human can do merits acceptance by God. Hence the need for the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, Himself the God/Man, to bridge the gap. One need only accept His sacrifice. He did the work, he is reaching out.
One is upward effort to please God, the other is receiving His invitation. One is works, the other is faith. One is prideful man saying "I'll do it myself thank you." The other is saying I have nothing to offer God save the Sacrifice of the Son.
There are many analogies.
This forum works with this understanding of religion, but I cannot speak for others. I'm just trying to infer what the intent of others might possibly be.