There are many unconscious reasons people believe in religious faiths. While many people find comfort and joy in their religious practices because of their moral teachings there are other reasons they're drawn to their faith as well. For many people faith was a part of their upbringing and they want to continue their families traditions. Faith plays an important role in our culture and reason has been part of the human race from time immemorial and it will continue to be part of us.
I agree that for the many people religion is just ritual, part of culture or tradition etc.
Still, it's not only answer why so many people follow religion and believe in God.
Many people can't find purpose in their life. They feel that is some highest truth and purpose out there.
Other people, like Einstein, through science understood that must be creator, God, who created all this miracles and whole universe.
Some people had spiritual revelations and talked with God.
There are no simple answer why so many people believe in God and religion.