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

[smax]

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.

The freedom to choose certainly is important, and I value that as much as you appear to. And, I'm okay with people having different beliefs and values so long as they don't harm others or prevent the same freedom.

However, it's been my experience and observation that religion simply cannot accept the same conditions.

Do you disagree?