In my opinion religion in general serves the purpose of a placebo for mankind.It is nothing more than a security blanket for many and is derived primarily from societal influences and family ties.There is nothing logical about religious beliefs or it's ritualistic pracitices.
There is nothing people will not maintain when they are slaves to superstition
http://chatpilot-godisamyth.blogspot.com/
http://chatpilot-godisamyth.blogspot.com/