Religion is as old as mankind. And there are different kind of believers. There are the ones who believe in God and his laws, given to us by the prophets. And there are the ones who believe in something bigger than us, something or someone who did all the things which enabled mankind to grow. Whatever the reason is, that makes people to believe something – it is their reason and I do not want to discuss this nor to draw it in question.
But to make the perspective clear: I do not believe in God and the prophets, but I do not know if there is something bigger than us. The universe without a beginning and an end is unimaginable as well.
The thing I want to talk about is the advantage and disadvantage of religion. The obvious advantage is, that religion gives authority and the ability for the leaders, to spell the last word. Because the inspiration was given by God and therefore from the highest thinkable authority. And beeing so, it is easier to organize a state and to govern the people. And it works pretty good because all the people can understand the given laws and normally follow these laws given by the highest authority.
The disadvantage is, that people might meet their personal thinking borders within a certain time. If somebody believes in a hightest authority which knows all the answers and which will point out the way, somebody may not need the thinking tools to analyze situations and to use the own brain to create a path sb can follow on.
So in a certain situation religion is very useful to organize and govern a state. After a certain time religion will become the anchor that keeps the ship in the save harbour without the possibility to meet new horizons.
As time moves on and things are developing, also religion needs development. The thing with religion, as most people understand it, is, that it does not allow any developments. Given by nature.
Of coures there was long-term development at all times. Each religion appeared at a certain time to fulfill a certain task. And all the prophets had the needs of the people in mind. Development takes always time. But maybe we need a prophet.