Religions, no matter how absurd are protected by law because they cannot stand on their own merits. This buffer allows absurdity to be honored as a virtue.
Religion has at every age kept the human mind in darkness and held it in ignorance of its true relations, of its real duties, and it’s true interests. It is but in removing its clouds and phantoms that we may find the source of truth, reason, morality, and the actual motives which inspire virtue—Jean Messlier 1704
What are the true interests of humanity and, what’s stopping us?
Foundationally wrong, religion nurtures self doubt. You are not “worthy to loosen his shoe” and but a vile sinner from birth, but ONLY through belief in Him? Without god you are nothing? I completely disagree. That is not the path my friends. The human being is quite possibly the most versatile and creative creature of all time. Misguided in this phase of belief, but by unbelief can “put away childish things” such as faith in a god that has yet to meet its objectives.
Man has proven quite capable, even dragging along the dead weight we’ve accomplished great things. Imagine if we all embraced discovery? Imagine if we truly loved our neighbor and collaborated in an honest reality? We are quite capable of taking care of ourselves. Man has proven quite resilient with his teaspoon of dust and sprinkling of consciousness, in spite of the extra baggage. We have the capacity to unite and become incredible, but it will never come by way of religious belief. They had their shot.