A need for religion?

[Move127]

I got into an argument with a coworker yesterday about whether or not a world without religion would be good. She argued that some people need religion in order to get through the day. I'm curious about what you all think regarding this point.
I argued that most people don't need a delusion to get through their day. The hope and happiness that these people get from their religion can be obtained elsewhere without the bad side effects that come from religion. When I was a Christian I believed that my life would be meaningless without religion, but now I'm even happier than before.
So, do some people have a need to hold onto their delusions? If so, then do you think it would be okay to strip them of these delusions?

[Minimalist]

She is absolutely right.

Some people are so stupid that they need to hold on to delusions because reality is too frightening.

[Justtristo]

I got into an argument with a coworker yesterday about whether or not a world without religion would be good. She argued that some people need religion in order to get through the day. I'm curious about what you all think regarding this point.
I argued that most people don't need a delusion to get through their day. The hope and happiness that these people get from their religion can be obtained elsewhere without the bad side effects that come from religion. When I was a Christian I believed that my life would be meaningless without religion, but now I'm even happier than before.
So, do some people have a need to hold onto their delusions? If so, then do you think it would be okay to strip them of these delusions?

Jesus in the New Testament said the truth would set you free. However he forgot to add that some people who have been stuck in prisons for all their lives would rather prefer to stay in their prisons than be set free.

[LastPoet]

I doubt it is necessary for them, it may be sufficient for them to live. No one necessarily dies because of the lack of gods, although the delusion may be sufficient for them to try to live.

[Paul the Human]

In other words, religion is a handy and effective crutch that is made even more effective by the fact that it is a crutch shared countless others. The feelings of comfort offered by belief are magnified by the feelings of belonging that come with it.

[Lethe]

Religion is like many other recreational drugs. Necessary? No. Appealing? Yes. Potential positive effects? Yes. Potential negative effects? In spades.

In the tiniest of doses, relatively harmless, when absorbed in frighteningly high doses however...

I liked the "God Delusion Calculator" found here:

[Captain Scarlet]

I doubt it is necessary for them, it may be sufficient for them to live. No one necessarily dies because of the lack of gods, although the delusion may be sufficient for them to try to live.

So this is something I don't understand. If you really believe, why would you want live? On the other side there is what you seek, paradise. Or maybe just maybe most religious folks aren't that confident of their own convictions.