I think all religions are and have been human fabrications, but I don't think that means they were collectively detrimental or unnecessary.

I think it was useful in uniting people who had little time for intellectual pursuits while simply trying to survive. I think that there's as case to be made that many ancient societies would not have succeeded if it wasn't for the core tenets of their religion. Furthermore, just as the religious have committed horrible atrocities in the name of one god or another, Isn't anyone capable of making evil decisions on their own? How are secular institutions safer from the moral pitfalls of religious institutions?

I'd become Catholic once again if the idea of an all-powerful being was in any way believable. I don't mind going to church, I don't mind the holidays, I don't care about the scandals, and I don't mind the catechism. If nothing else, I'm glad I had Catholicism as a starting point for my own moral pondering.

I'd really like to hear someone else's perspective.