Religion only goes away with education.. it's not an accident that the more uneducated a group is, the more likely they are to be religious... also, religious belief necessitates that people be indoctrinated (brainwashed) at a VERY early age... intelligent adults would NEVER believe the garbage that is at the very core of religious belief..

Yes, I'd remove it from society.

It should be relegated to historical studies, just like the worship of Zeus and Odin were.

This is not to say that all spiritualism, all yearning for something greater, should be dismissed. but organized religion is a relic that has long since become more harmful than beneficial

It should be taught as part of humanity's cultural and historical background, however, all religions equally. In everyday life religious myths would be fine, if treated similar to horoscopes - mostly for fun.

The role of religion us to serve as a crutch for the individuals who do not want a relationship with reality.

It creates artificial goals that are impossible to achieve, thus providing a sense of purpose and meaning for anyone who can not accept the anxiety associated with the unknown and freedom of uncertainty.

It justifies itself by claiming to be a source of morality, when in reality it has no power except to expose the moral behavior already present.

Religion doesn't need removed from society, but it should not have custody over the lives of people, and should not be the basis for what we do and how we live our lives.

I don't think it can have an ideal role.

However, religion exists, so if it were to play any role, which I would support, it's this.

For some people, religion, or their belief in a God, is the only thing which prevents them from committing horrible crimes, or doing terrible things.

Modern civil/human rights + science based society with multiculturalism and high industrial output has no place for religion.
Religion today is used only to harness power.
BUT maybe half of humans are in this kid of society, with civil society engaged and people creating communities by themselves (mostly because they have time, resources and money to do it).
In less advanced, educated and with few resources, churches are still a cornerstone of society and community building. And if secular organizations don't take this role, religion will never never loose its place.

Here's the thing; I get that a lot of people get a sense of community, socialization, and support belonging to a church and I have no issue with that. It's the promotion of superstition, ignorance, and magical thinking that has to go. Get rid of all the god, holy book, and religious horseshit and churches can remain as community organizations so the upside of what they can offer isn't lost.

How much more reasonable can I be?

(1) To satisfy the addiction many people have for a supernatural belief system, and (2) control the masses with guilt and belief. The antidote, of course, is education.

Religion is a crutch to assist people with the regards to the vastness and hugeness of the Universe. This type of mental masturbation is only practiced by humans. And then, only because we have the capability of abstract thought. This abstract thought capability allowed us to survive in a generally unfriendly world.

I imagine early humans looked up into the night sky and were impressed with its vastness and expanse. Just like it is to most people today, it was probably incomprehensible and confounding. Humans do not like unanswered questions. The lack a definable answer leads to unsettled feelings.

This nagging unclarity tends to irritate and aggravate. So in order to assuage the irritation, they rationalized their world around them. Likewise, the human mind doesn't deal with, what appears to be disorder (it's not really), so they impose a false order, once again to ease their mind. Humans like to control their environment, so they seek ways to exact a control by declaring a controlling Godhead(s) of some sort.

Even in a modern world of science, many need religion's rationalization to deal with the vastness. It is not until large numbers of humans venture into space will the human paradigm be significantly changed. Seeing the unlimitedness of space, "in space", only then will humans realize how truly insignificant they are in the larger scheme of things. Perhaps then might they give up the folly of rationalizing an order that doesnt exist, and accept the order that does exist.

Role? Depends on who you're talking to and when in history. Example, the early Catholic church::money and controlling the populace using religion. I've asked people why they go to services, and many say for community. Always a few true believers who want to spread the repression/control---oops, the 'good news. I wouldn't remove it from society because it's their choice to believe in myths; I WOULD impose taxes and strengthen church/state separation.

Why should its role be any different from the rest of us?

History is the role I’d relegate it to, to inform the youth of injustices that were once perpetuated. No doubt there are new ones to work on improving anyway.

A pacifist of old was asked: What do you think about Western Civilisation ? He said: " that would be a good idea." Has not happened YET

Rape and Murder = religion.....theocracy survives by Atheists doing nothing to stop rape and murder... religion begins with every forced pregnancy and brutal amputation of baby boy prepuce flesh then the brainwashing spoils the children forced to believe fake words like gawd and prEyer are real....tell the truth everywhere

Somebody has to come up with the holidays we observe. They are fun if you can ignore the mumbo jumbo.

Religion ... pure and faultless is this : to help widows and orphans in need and avoiding worldly corruption. James 1:27

Why would you want to take those that believe in helping and those that believe in avoiding worldly corruption away?

comedy

All that is needed is an "adult soother'. Whatever that is?

Definitely yes, totally and completely. That means zero role.