" Don't you realize that religion IS a matter of faith that goes beyond reason? "
I rest my case. You have clearly asserted the superiority of "blind faith" over reason. You are one among the many that have abandoned their reason to "blind faith". If you were given reason you are expected to use it well not abandon it to the mantra of a Jerry Falwell.
The world would be a much happier and holier place if faith and reason were in a harmonious balence as part of the "whole human".
Instead, psuedo religions seek to split the "whole man's" faith and reason asunder. This leads to the unholy and stupid behavior we see amongst the fundamentalists.