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Possibly controversial but what is religion? I am struggling with the concept...

I was brought up in the Christian faith for my whole childhood and adolescence. I am struggling to know what I really believe. Not meant to be a horrid question but a sincere one.
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God really cares about the inward being of a person (Psalm 51:6) and so asking sincere questions I think is fine and healthy - God is relational and it is normal to talk and ask questions. Cast your cares and concerns on Him because He cares for you...- "...casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6.

I thinks religion vs relationship is the key issue here. The pharisees of Jesus' time were very religious people but had no relationship with God for they loved praises from men, money (devouring widows property) etc and they rejected Gods Son! God doesn't want religious people who perform their religious rites with cold distant idolatrous hearts - you see that time and again in the old and new testament. God cares about the inward being, valuing the heart above external religious activity.

"For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51

Pray and talk to God about these things, tell Him what you believe now and what you don't believe or have doubts about, tell Him you are struggling - He knows! Don't worry about religion.