What is religion and what is it's true purpose for mankind?

I haven't been here at Joe User for very long, but like most places of discussion what is said by others seems to want to be controlled by those that start the topic, and they want to seem to control what may or may not be discussed as well as how it can be discussed, and it seems that conflict is not desired.  Short of bloodshed, I find conflict to be a good thing.  It makes us think and prevents stagnation.  We never seem to grow when things are all so comfy cozy.  It also seems that growth of any kind only comes through conflict.  So I decided to start this topic where anything and everything that has to do with religion no matter what religion it is can be discussed without fear of censure.  Since people by nature seem to go off on other tangents that don't necessarily have anything to do with the subject of the topic those are allowed as well.  Not a bad thing in my opinion, since everything seems to effect everything else in the world including religion. Our lives are not stagnant, they are constantly changing and evolving as do our concerns.   It seems rather unreasonable to expect that discussion not also evolve into other things as well.  Wars have been started over religion, peoples have been subjugated by it, and people have even found a better life through it and a deeper understanding of purpose.

So I ask all those who have an opinion, what is religion in your view and what do you think it's true purpose for mankind is.