What does religion offer?

[paulpablo]

Let's get some examples of (good) things that religions have to offer that secular organizations/people cannot. If religion is so necessary, as the theists out there claim, then there has to be some reason as to why that is, right?

(I genuinely want to know...I was thinking about this earlier and couldn't come up with any reasons, but perhaps my imagination is simply failing me today.)

There is only one thing and that's the threat of punishment or the promise of rewards after death.

---

Well it can make good men do bad things while thinking they are good. Maybe it can go in reverse: make bad men do good things while making them think they are bad. Thats all i can think of

Non religious organizations can make good men do bad things or bad men do good things, I could just point a gun at an unarmed bad or good man and say "Don't do that" and that would be fairly persuasive to any rational person to do what I say.

---

The only thing I can think of is that without religion there would be no Christmas. It's really a terrific holiday.... getting together with your family, exchanging gifts, great food.... and the message of peace and goodwill is highly positive. If only they would take the mythology out of it.

Celebratory days are organized by non religious people, and I don't think the removal or non existence of religion would effect celebrations.