Religion as Control

All religions exist as a form of social control. It is with the faiths they hold in an Authoritative all powerful being that keeps the minions in line.

Religion is a business just like any other. They require people to buy their product, and what religion sells is the afterlife.

Religion and government are closely tied, particularly in the case of Monarchies.

The Queen of England is appointed by divine right. She is the leader of the people. She is the modern day British Jesus.

Does that make her a holy person?

Not really, but we are supposed to believe that she was ordained by God to her post. Without that belief we can get rid of her with little consequences.

It is the fear and intimidation of possible consequences that allow religion, law and governments to keep their practitioners/citizens in order.

Furthermore, the religions need people to donate or give money to them in order to maintain their institutions. Without land and money they would have no where to preach from.

All religions strive to make their practitioners better happier people, or at least promise that their lives in the here and after will be better by becoming devotees to God and their faith.

Without concrete evidence of an afterlife people buy into this theological snake oil.

Everyone wants to be happy, and lead a good life, but what defines a happy and good life varies from person to person, and religion generally does not fulfill all the needs of the individual and most of the time becomes a trap, creating too many boundaries for a person to fully develop their own independent sense of self.