The floating sky daddy watching has never really controlled the moral compass of anyone over the age of 10, that is why from about the second or third century churches introduced church courts, then what became inquisitions, torture chambers, heretic burning etc.
Religion when given the chance will always resort to being Hell on Earth, they know a thumb screw is far more effective than the threat of hell hereafter for discouraging irreligious behaviour.

This has made me wonder about whether there is one good thing about religion.

I've heard this before on The Atheist Experience. People have called in making the point that, without God, people would rape and kill, with some callers admitting that God is the only thing that stops them.

I have to think that I'm grateful for their faith, in that case. However, one thing also worth considering, is whether it's the distorted teachings, within religion, that can make people want to commit these crimes in the first place.

"Religion poisons everything." - C. Hitchens