Metaphors are fine if they aid understanding, but sometimes they get in the way.

Complex statistically improbable things are by their nature more difficult to explain than simple statistically probable things.

If children understand that beliefs should be substantiated with evidence as opposed to tradition, authority, revelation or faith, they will automatically work out for themselves that they are atheists.

A universe with a God would look quite different from a universe without one. A physics, a biology where there is a God is bound to look different. So the most basic claims of religion are scientific. Religion is a scientific theory.