Religion is nothing more than the biggest power tool man has invented. If men didn't feel the need to be in control of others and wield power over them, we would not have seen organized religion.
People have a natural inclination to appreciate nature and the elements, but when it goes too extremes even that becomes "my sun god is better than yours".
The desire to have inordinate power is the problem, and religion is the easiest way to gain that power.
If there was no religion, it would just be some other power tool.