Why did religions were created during times when most of peoples were illiterate and ignorant?

Yup kinda sad huh? Almost all religions were formed thousands of years ago during a time in history when we didn't even know anything about a tornado, lightning, earthquakes, hurricanes, thunder, shooting stars, etc etc etc. of course they were just scared and lookign for answers. It is almost certainly why we still have religion...people are still afraid and need comfort. True or insane....they just turn to religion.