So, this is something upon which I was reflecting

[Mister Agenda]

I think Maelstrom means that while alcohol was banned, the ban wasn't particularly effective and arguably made matters worse.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Banning something because some folks misuse it punishes swathes of people who don't.

[KevinM1]

Banning ideas or the ability of people to gather as a demonstration of those ideas is anathema to me. I'm a firm believer in the free marketplace of ideas.

Ideally, religion will just fade away as we become more educated, less superstitious, and more suspicious of tradition for tradition's sake. And, indeed, that is the trend in developed countries.