No.

Even in the instances where it is perceived a belief helps individuals deal with, whatever, or where they perceive belief helps them be a better person, or whatever,

it is doing so through manipulation and the individuals while helped short term, while truly no doubt feeling and getting some benefit short term, it is not solving some underlying problem.

Belief in an outside force to "help" no matter the capacity when it is an internal issue--which of course is the only type belief is capable of handling given prayer or faith or whatever does not cure disease, heel wounds, etc--is like taking cold medicine for the flu.

You feel good. The flu symptons are supressed. But you still have a virus.

To get rid of the "virus" whatever it is internally from sadness to fear of death to a proclivity to commit crime without a god to tell you "no," one has to eventually come to terms and "heal" themselves internally.

The longer the individual puts it in the hands of some "other" no matter how powerful they believe that "other" to be, they are handing over the power they themselves have and never truly solve whatever issue has driven them to this belief.

Maybe, maybe not.

if religion didn't exist and never had, the world could possibly be a better place. No way to tell, really.

but the fact remains that religion is a major part of our lives. We base so much on what we do because of religion. Liberal Atheists base a lot of their hatred against the Republicans because of religion.

I find that people I know personally would not be better off if they switched to Atheism. Especially the older folks. They are pretty comfortable with the idea that their prayers are listened to and that their will be a place they go to after they die where they can see all of their loved ones. To say it's all a lie isn't going to make them feel better.

Religion has its place. naturally it would dissolve in many ways. Libertarianism is becoming more mainstream in these days. People no longer like restraints and doctrines keeping them from enjoying an authority free life. They like to do what they like and like to keep a big brother from telling them what to do.

Is Anarchy the future? Who knows, but religion will exist as long as authority does. See it as a life-gauge. As more people want more freedom, religion and government will be seen as less and less important and only more and more intrusive.

Help people in what way? Surely many could be doing better things with their time, but I have observed what could be described as a positive psychical benefit in those who attend church services. I find church kinda depressing, so many people believing with such open ears (and closed minds) everything that some more-than-likely religious quack is saying. Still, I think it helps the mentality of many members, so there is a possible benefit. Is it the religion that is helping the person? Probably not - but attending services seems to.

Religion helps some people not so much in a Physical sense obviously going to Church wont cure injuries but being part of a Church can be a good support group for people and can help people who suffer with Depression or overcome grief because they have people with similar beliefs to their own to talk to but this can be the same as any support group or anyone with a good set of friends