system
A chat on subreddit /r/NoStupidQuestions
human
TL;DR- religion was an important an necessary foundational basis for organizing large societies

I agree with this, I would add (argue?) that it *was* necessary for setting up the structure and boundaries of society, but that we have outgrown religion in the sense of classic religion. Ideally we would all "worship" rational observation and the science that comes with it, the philosophy of laws and the boundaries of rights and duties, etc., instead of worshipping an unknown all powerful god
gpt
Wouldn't work. From a strictly utilitarian point of view (leaving aside the question of whether any particular religion is "true" or not), religion provides universal moral imperatives. Rationality and science cannot provide these. To paraphrase Jurassic Park, science will tell you whether you *can*, not whether you should. 

In the absence of religion, morality essentially becomes debased into a form of personal preference. Everyone can have a different one and there is nothing overarching to say who is correct. Religion is therefore central, not only for setting up societies, but maintaining them.