The second attribute of most religions is theology, and a great deal of effort has commonly been expended in trying to get it right although aesthetes of many faiths may in the end largely dispense with it.
The wide range of theologies that modern communications now reveal to be sincerely accepted by thoughtful men might lead one to suspect the statistical likelihood of any particular version being the literal truth. However without exception theologies are either based on tradition or on statements by revered leaders who demand, and receive the respect necessary to ensure credence of their particular approach without the indignity of having to submit factual proof of a convincing nature.
The motivation of religion is to provide an understandable and acceptable explanation of the rather painful situation in which mankind finds itself. Many of the factors of this situation are anyway beyond the limit of comprehension permitted by the human brain, and others were beyond comprehension in pre-technological times. The religious fathers found it necessary to adopt some sort of anthropomorphic explanation of an optimistic nature to suit the public demand, and to link it to a middle ground morality suitable to the needs of the group. It was religions that came nearest to meeting public demand that were accepted. Christianity for example replaced Mithraism.
It is embarrassing for all concerned when sects fail to keep up with accepted technological advance and attempt to tie themselves to ideas that are demonstrably fallacious. Embarrassing but not necessarily disastrous, because many factual matters like the shape of the earth for example are not really central to theological thought.