The five "R"s that probably inspired the invention of god and religion:

[Jackalope]

Gods were probably invented to explain what could not be explained otherwise. He has remained a placeholder explanation for everything until better explanations supersede him.

I'd say about 80-85 percent of the world's population are overdue for a trade up, wouldn't you?

I don't know. I know that I value explanations based on empirical evidence, as it appears you do as well. But... not everyone does, and while I may not value their spirituality-based explanations, I do value their right to cling to them, regardless of how I might feel about it.

I certainly don't feel like I've got a monopoly on truth. Maybe the world would be a better place without religion, maybe it wouldn't. Some people aren't ready (or perhaps even capable) of letting go of it, and that's their prerogative.