I wouldn't necessarily toss them aside. They have value, and equal value. They are like bubble gum. You chew out the value and discard it. You don't make a religion out of any one of them.

I would agree human nature has not changed that much. However, human knowledge has changed a great deal. We know that angry deities don't create thunder or cause a flood.

As for the 'whys' of creation, that is completely up to you to determine. So, carry on the way you'd like. :D