The average person who makes this claim generally does not have any idea who may have invented a given religion. The statement is generally made by people who are in rebellion against all authority. It could be said that government is about controlling people.
Sin has a far greater control over people’s lives than religion. The God of the Bible wishes to release people from the power of darkness.
“For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate” (Rom. 7:14-15).