Well in the end, religion (in all it's incarnations) has done a whole lotta good and bad.
The thing is, religion gives people the excuse to feel:
better,
different,
superior, or even,
detached,
towards other people who may or may not follow the same deity. I believe that's part of the reason it's so prevalent in today's world.
People are fueled by the need to feel special. For some people this means a feeling of superiority, for others it could be feeling unique. There are many ways to be 'special' or 'different' and everyone seeks out one way or another. Our world is actually built around this model, rewarding those who do better or are more creative.
Now how does religion factor into this. Well if your worshiping a deity and following it's specific rules then 90% of religions state you will go to the "Good" version of it's afterlife. (Most having a horrendous bad version if you don't follow the teachings exactly)
Now since your following your 'god' or 'goddess' and your gonna make it into a good afterlife you immediately feel like you are in better shape than anyone who isn't gonna make it into the good afterlife. Hence that strong feeling of relief allot of religious folk say they feel.
That's how a majority of religions attract people. (Though there are MANY cases of indoctrination and other unsavory ways worshipers get a hold on people.)
Break that down to it's base factors and you'll find that religions strongest influence on the world is simply giving people a reason (good or bad) to divide themselves from other people and to think that they will have it better in the end.
Regardless of reasons malicious, or saintly, this is not helping us as a species. Ya know that old proverb: "United we stand, divided we fall." Well there is actually some truth to that however cliched it is, and religion is dividing us.
I'm not saying it's bad. I firmly believe that most religions original goals are to spread morals, good behavior and humanity. The thing is, we have a powerful educational system in place to teach those things in this modern age. Taking away religions original goal. Without that goal, what good is it currently doing?
Also, just throwing this out there but the church of Christ is the most wealthy organization on the planet. (Whacha gonna do with all that cash in the afterlife you silly popes.)