I have often thought that people need something to make them feel reassured and comfortable in this world. Kind of a crutch, if you will. I have called this week minded before but I realize that that is narrow-minded of me. I was raised Southern Baptist and I recovered. I am not an anti-theist in that I don't argue with people just because they're Christian. I know some strong-minded Christians who are very intelligent. But I don't need a supernatural entity in my life to give it meaning, keep me going, or reassure me.

Religion has always been about smart/weak people controlling stupid/strong people - the dodge has gotten better over time but it is still a dodge.

God is, by turns, someone behind whose robes one can hide when you want to justify a range of behaviors, including very bad ones -- and, someone who can be, as you suggest, a sort of moral backstop or absolute of some kind. Although I'd argue it's only a perceived backstop, not much of one in practice. I think it leans more toward the former than the latter -- it ends up circling back to "I didn't say it, God did, so don't either blame me on the one hand or ask me to substantiate or justify it on the other".

YO! so you had anteresting thot about the purpose of religion - is this kinda like, you show me yours I'll show you mine? I am soooooooooooo being a wise cracker!! I do want to know your thot!!!
I always felt the purpose was to control the masses and specifically women. Humans (males, mostly) invented religion God (?) had NOTHING to do with it.

Purpose of religion today seems to be support of churches, synogogues and mosques.