why we still need religion

In class this week someone brought up the point that many religion is slowly loosing its place in society because of scientific advancements. Now that people are provided an explanation for earthquakes, hurricanes, and other previously mysterious occurrences, there is less need for a belief in God, gods and goddesses, and other higher powers. In my opinion however, there will always be a need for these beliefs. Although we may know how an earthquake happens and how a tornado forms, we will never know what caused those plates to move or why a it the wind blew it to that town. In the modern world we may have a scientific diagnosis for dying but that does not bring the peace of mind that religion does. Two weeks ago on my sixteenth birthday, I received a text from my dad telling  me my grandfather had stage four pancreatic cancer and probably only had a few weeks to live. My grandparents are Episcopalians and therefore belief in heaven and hell so my grandfather is comforted by the though of spending eternal life in the heavenly kingdom. To be able to believe that you are going to heaven or whatever, regardless if it is true or not, is comforting and allows us to be able to accept the thought of mortality.