If you think that religion is a bad thing today, then I am sorry to say that I have a very sad thought to share.
Religion lives by providing an alternative to the mainstream secular education and thought. In the dark ages when mainstream culture meant that of vicious warlords, no doubt religion's alternative, did seem like a wonder of light and joy. But in the renaissance secular culture chose to follow the path of light and truth, and eventually of humanity and human rights. What does that leave to religion, and what is the alternative to truth, light and humanity ? Religion can now, probably, only turn into the dark, because that is the only territory available where you can be alternative now. And that is what we observe, the only growth area for religion, is on the dark far right. Apart from nebulous woo, nearly all religious growth is in dark areas, such as right wing Islamic states, and evangelical Christianity on the far and inhuman fascist right. While the little remaining moderate religion fades fast from mainstream thought. Like it or not the future of religion is to become increasingly the champion of evil, because mainstream culture has adopted the light, so there is just no other place for it to go. Sorry to be gloomy in bad times, but needed to be said.