I'm not a religious person, but it appears to me that religion is about FAITH. What better way to demonstrate faith than to embrace religious ideas despite literally mountains of scientific evidence.
If an omnipotent being created the entire universe, and if that omnipotent being wished to test the faith of humans, then it would practically be required to create the earth with evidence contrary to the faith.
If, instead of what we see, the earth was a place where the evidence for divine creation was obvious to all, no faith would be required to become a Christian. It's the choice to embrace the faith that makes Christianity what it is.
“I’m not a religious person, but it appears to me that religion is about FAITH. What better way to demonstrate faith than to embrace religious ideas despite literally mountains of scientific evidence.”
For someone who is “not religious”, I must say I am in awe at your wisdom. The Bible says, “Faith......is the evidence of things not seen.”
Not really "despite". Those mountains of evidence will actually always point to the work of God. It's just that we don't have full knowledge yet. But as scientists are faithful to do good science and go where the evidence leads, what is physical around us will always lead to deeper awareness of God (truth). But it takes time because our knowledge is limited.
"Faith" does not mean "blind faith". The bottom-line true meaning of faith as discussed in the New Testament means that one does not trust in (have faith in) one's own righteousness. Rather, a Christian puts all faith in Christ to get total righteousness in order to secure eternal life.
The term has become twisted in discussing scientific matters.
O'Brien explains something similar to Winston Smith in 1984
Big Brother is always right! Don't question it.