This isn’t to say religion is necessarily like those things, but it does indicate a flaw in the idea that behaviors that stick around mustn’t be so bad.
(Alcoholism has a massive component gifted to us by the genetic lottery, so it's really unfair to bundle it with these things.)
If faking belief weren't so detrimental to the soul it would be an obvious choice for those people with a stubborn habit of needing proof.
People find meaning and purpose in science too, but of course if you dig far enough you realize that that the proof problem is never really solved.
So, you gotta have faith wherever you turn. One of the reasons I've also become more open to spirituality as time has humbled me a bit.
This is actually huge.
I went from being dragged to church as a kid to "screw this I'm an athiest now!".
However as I got older, I realize there is tremendous benefit in exactly what you are pointing out. There is a large community of people who generally care about each other and help each other out, etc.
It doesn't matter the specific religion. I've moved to areas where I attended the local Unitarian Universalist church for this reason. They don't practice any specific religion, but the community aspect of it was a big help, because in the past I've been in situations where I was truly alone and could have used some support. It's comforting to know there is a group of people out there willing to help you if you get in a bind (and you would do likewise to them).
I consider myself a pantheist now, so I will listen to pretty much anything people want to say regarding faith. That's up to them.
The problem is nobody ever told me about its utility. I was just dragged to church every Sunday and occasionally lectured on God / etc. It was really easy for a young mind to get cynical about it especially amongst a family that was very preachy.
I wish someone had said "whether or not you believe in THIS god, there is utility in believing in SOMETHING higher than yourself. When you grow up, and are deep into your work life, there will be dark days when you will have nothing that can comfort you, other than the belief that things will get better, and that someone or some thing is more in control than you think".
I wish someone had explained that there is immense utility in the community of religion. That you could end up in your 30s without much of a broad social community. Sure friends, sure family, but not really belonging to any community bigger than those (other than work).
I feel like the religious people around me as a youth really failed. There IS actually a good reason to have a faith. It doesn't have to be because you're afraid of going to hell. There's actual utility in it, mental utility.