The fact is that religion or some sort of spirituality is a requirement for many many people.

Even as a humanist & an atheist I am not entirely anti-religion. I agree with what you say - quoted above - however, it is all so very subjective and religion and religious leaders should never intrude on the rights of individuals to live how they choose and believe what they want just as long as that belief doesn't interfere with another's rights to do likewise.

The bottom line with religion is they can't all be right, but they can all be wrong. That they are all wrong is pretty evident, but the human dimension of spirituality is, as you say, very important. I know a lot of very sincere and very devout Roman Catholics, just as I know a lot of very devout and sincere Moslems etc. But when it comes to the wholesale massacre of others as heretics & infidels, likewise the active oppression of individuals because of some warped theology derived from the ravings of a mad horse, then I would suggest there is something seriously awry with the old religion concept.

There is no truth that is not common to all.