I'd have to disagree with this. Religious, in many forms, is a complex and calculated structure of ritual, indoctrination and obligation that allows for unparalelled levels of obedience. To quote the great George Carlin... "Religion easily has the greatest bullshit story ever told. Think about it. Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever 'til the end of time! But He loves you. He loves you, and He needs money! He always needs money! He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow just can't handle money! Religion takes in billions of dollars, they pay no taxes, and they always need a little more. Now, you talk about a good bullshit story. Holy Shit!" How has it all come about? Why was Jesus said to have been born on a specific day, with specific events? Observe what happens in the sky for a week or two and you'll figure it out. These messianic figures have been around centuries before Jesus or many of the modern deities. People figured out a long time ago; religion equals power and control that otherwise cannot be obtained.