"Religion is a map..." a good metaphor for the process!
At least we can compare maps of N. Dakota with satellite photos and topographic surveys...

There are VERY intricate, detailed maps drawn of totally imaginary places. Some of these maps have been represented as 'real', and folks have gone off hunting for the places described. Debate still rages about whether Atlantis is/was 'real'...Not much news since Plato.

Gods and Angels are even tougher to pin down.