[NutCrackerBoy]

I look around the world and see dozens of cultures claiming everything from blue-elephant-headed creatures, to invisible cloud-walking bearded guys, as the ultimate authors of the universe. Each claims their own as undeniable truth, while rejecting all others.

I see no reason to accept any of these explanations

It is a huge misunderstanding to take religion as an explanation of the universe as if it were an alternative to scientific knowledge.

Human beings are wired to be a part of. We exist to dedicate ourselves to good. Good is a covenant with the dead, the living, and the unborn. A person finds peace by aligning himself with the good. Organized religion exists to facilitate these processes. (In my opinion.)

[headsonpikes]

Organized religion exists to facilitate these processes.(In my opinion.)

IMO, it operates so as to exploit these processes.