Well, religion is different for each person. Some use it as a social gathering, others seek answers to life's many questions (to which religion doesn't seem to have but "just believe and all will be well"), to assure that souls do go somewhere after death, to provide mental strength when in difficult/dire situations there is no other support and the person seems to be by themselves. Religion also seems to invoke a conscience in an early stage of a person's life by placing a fear of a "hell" for doing morally unacceptable actions. Life after death is a promise based on the rewards system. The more good you do, the better the next life, whether it be in heaven or as a another person you will be. Or so they say.
Ever noticed that in many poor countries, religion is very strong? I am pretty sure there is a large following of Christianity in Mexico. As these people are strapped for cash and food, religion is there only hope and gives them a purpose in this life.
There is nothing wrong about religion, it's just the people who control it (imo the Roman Catholic Church is a good example) tend to use it to their own benefit as power over people and money with simply an idea is indeed a great power. When there is a concentration of power in a single place, there is bound to be corruption is what I think. Too much politics and money being passed around in catholicsm. No matter, as long as the person adheres to the basic principles of the religion (haven't heard of any popular religion advocating evil and violence) he's probably a good person.