To take my notion a little further -
my own belief is that relgion is borne from a psychological need to rely on 'something higher' to explain the mysteries we all appreciate, but don't understand.
Similarly, in times when life was brutal and short, it made sense to believe that something better awaited Man when he shuffled off this mortal coil.
I don't feel the need for either - although i have no problem with those who do, except of course, that another aspect of human nature is that righteousness leads on to self-righteousness - and that's where the trouble begins.