I'm delighted to see that I share this concept with you, Russ.
In youth, I see it (organized religion) as something that can be structured into one by family, schools, churches etc. but those things (inputs) are external, and though they may convince one to a degree or even completely, there can come a time when, either through age or just experience, it's simply not enough to hold any longer and one abandons all spiritual faith, or, one breaks away and forms different, possibly parallel convictions, but a little apart, at least, from the dogma with which one might have grown up.
I think sometimes of those priests - possibly Jesuits - whose minds and characters are filled and formed with much learning and teaching, but who suddenly become stricken with doubt. That must be one of the most difficult and painful spiritual situations for any human to encounter. I envy them not at all! Not only might they carry the angst of their own situation, but the possible guilt, real or misplaced, of where their flock may also find itself in years to come.
Whatever one eventually discovers or, clearly, never will discover if there is nothing beyond, I'd rather live my life with a belief I can accept than with none at all. But, as with so much, one can't fake it.
Rob