Here’s a link to a very brief, but outstanding article from Christian blogger Matt Warner. He makes his case far more eloquently than I did.  Below is an excerpt:

Unfortunately, when left to themselves, they’ve simply created their own religion that is right where they are already right. And based upon beliefs that change at the convenience of their whim. This is not a denial of self, it’s an indulgence of it. They make Jesus in their own image instead of conforming themselves into His. Religion is what, first, tells us what that Divine Image looks like and then, second, gives us the means of conforming to it.

In truth, religion and Jesus (God) are all wrapped up together. If you want your religion to be fully true, you need Jesus. If you want to know Jesus, know the religion that he founded – his body and bride the Church. As soon as a person tries to have one without the other, they end up with neither.

From I Hate Religious People? – Fallible Blogma