What human purpose does religion fill?

[robvalue]

That's a difficult question. I try to encourage rational thought, and the thorough evaluation of all beliefs as far as possible. The truth will then take care of itself. I want to help people think clearly, not tell them what conclusions they should reach.

In the case of religious beliefs, I wouldn't randomly confront people to try and deconvert them any more than I'd want them to try and convert me. I think it would be rude, and also not very likely to work. I don't generally take part in deep discussion with someone unless I think they are genuinely interested and really want to discuss it.

If their religious (or other) beliefs are actively putting themselves or others in danger, then I'd try to point this out to them.

[Tartarus Sauce]

Religion would have been one of our earliest systems of facilitated social bonding. The ceremony-heavy aspects of early religion would have acted as a catalyst for strengthening and maintaining tribal interrelations. In addition, as has already been mentioned, it provided explanations during a time when explanations were scant. We are pattern seeking species, we don't like having incidents left unexplained.

As hunter-gather bands began developing into larger communities, sometimes as far as reaching civilization stage, religion became the foundation social structures were built upon. It wasn't particularly difficult to utilize religion as a means for enforcing the elite's control, people were already naturally attuned to that way of thinking and their state religion would have been an organically developed deviation of whatever the earlier belief sets were. The rulers were likely devout followers themselves, at least in belief.

[paulpablo]

I've often wonder why people gravitate towards religion and have found that the answer is difficult to find amongst those that do no believe. So let's spitball; what does religion provide that logic day to day existence does not? What did those that existed two thousand years ago get from an unprovable fantasy? The mind or the ego wanted something; what?

Because of the ever lurking dreadful terrifying presence of death DEEEEATH DEAAAATHHHHHH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKnodzWlKUQ

But the question is too easy really, take into consideration mental illness, peer pressure, comfort against the unknown, how much a good tool religion is for government, leaders and conmen, superstition, OCD..... there's a big list.

[kramazeek]

Thanks for the responses everyone. It looks like I have much to read up on here before I post.