Religion should be encouraged if it has positive effects on people.What do you think?

[comet]

A popular argument atheists (like myself) have against religion is that religion often causes conflict and has been the driving factor of many unnecessary disputes and deaths throughout the human history.

This is true. Religion can cause conflict but what if it doesn't?

A belief in God often motivates people to be moralistic. I've heard people say how less afraid they are in the dark when they feel a powerful protector is right beside them, how more confident they feel, how much more motivated they get when they know a pain free life is waiting for them after their death.

I'm of the opinion that if something like religion can help cultivate inner peace for an individual we should no doubt encourage it. What do you think?

numbers don't support banning religion.  lessening power is one thing, banning goes against observations.  ban booze before religion if we are basing the ban on harming people.