I get what you’re saying, but I’d argue it’s not “religious” in the normal way we use the word. In Sagan’s book a scientist uncovers evidence that the universe

I get what you’re saying, but I’d argue it’s not “religious” in the normal way we use the word. In Sagan’s book a scientist uncovers evidence that the universe was built and she’s working to leverage the scientific method to understand it. In that universe that appears to be what’s going on, but it’s the evidence that leads them in that direction. I don’t buy that the “creator” cared about her feelings. In the book, the aliens she meets are just a more advanced inhabitant of the universe, they don’t know its origin either. Religion usually does away with evidence to rely on faith based reasoning (which is basically what the movie does). The reason I don’t like the movie is it distorts the book’s point to be the opposite of what it was.