I don't have a religious theory: I don't believe that thermonuclear weapons were created by ghosts. That's in your wheelhouse.
You asked how heavier elements come from lighter ones. There are two pictures for you. There is no requirement that heavier elements are produced from lighter ones by a "creative force" in any scientific theory that I'm aware of. You asked how "chemical evolution" happens. Now you are [or should be] enlightened.
Evolution is a religion, because you cannot use the scientfic method to test your theories. Such as, not being able to fuse past iron.