I don't recall Jesus sticking his head into a hat and 'translating' any so-called golden plates with a smooth piece of agate.
Mate, walking on water, and pulling fish out of thin air is no less and no more kooky than the things that Joseph whatsis did. And lets be honest, dying, and then coming back to life sounds pretty consarned suspect to me.
My point is, all religions start off sounding ridiculous, and then gain popularity in time.