Sometimes people choose to be slaves. I have very little religious baggage I guess. I went to a very liberal church when I was really little, then no church at all. I have no fear of hell or the devil or anything like that, and don't believe they exist. Still, prayer can be comforting, especially when praying over something that is completely beyond our control. And sometimes you get an answer.

I don't think people in general would live long with hope. The alternative is suicide. Without love, babies fail to thrive and they literally can die. Without trust there is no banding together against adversity. These things necessary to our survival as humans.