Many people need the belief in a super-natural being to comfort them in the belief that there is no utter end to their existence.
Thanks for the well thought out reply.
I cannot agree that people need delusions to get through life. Sure, we all lie to ourselves on smaller issues, but to lie to ones self on a major mental issue, is insanity, which is why organized religions are taught in universities to be collective schizophrenia.
Science recognizes what religions are, cons, yet people do not get it, or ignore reality for the tribalism and fellowship.
Regards
DL
Well, to some degree, religions are cons, however, the original purpose came about as bands of tribes would seek answers as to what happens to those that they love, when they die. The Shamans would come up with an answer that would soothe them. Claiming an afterlife and not having to show proof helps.
Then of course, there were behavioral issues that needed to be sorted out and in antiquity, before governmental laws, there were tribal laws. As standup comedian, once said, "they had to draft something to get the men to stop humping camels." And also, stop stealing from others and killing for something they wanted.