Is religion a necessary evil?

[Dr H]

Looking at the tragic statistics on suicide and crime, does religion with it's scare tactics doesn't sound so bad?

I mean, if you believe in Hell, even partially, you won't be as likely to kill yourself or become a criminal.

The basic purpose of religion is the same as the basic purpose of government:  
to vest power in the few, to allow them to control the many.

If you believe that the many need  to be controlled by the few, then it may well be necessary.
Whether or not it's evil becomes a matter of personal taste.