Absolutely, Nicole. That is why no one else can decide for you or for me what is real. We each must decide for ourselves in each and every case.

Some experiences contribute a little to knowledge, some a lot. Some experiences (given individual interpretation) may even obfuscate knowledge. As far as that goes, we again must each decide for ourselves.

But you will agree, I hope, that actually having sex (for example) gives one more knowledge of it than being told the facts of life by your mom or dad when you're 14 years old or reading a book about it?

That's just one possible example of acquiring knowledge through experience. I find direct experience beats any amount of faith or theorizing.