Karl Marx criticized religion as the "opium of the masses" - something that deadened people from realizing, and rebelling against, the suffering and injustice forced upon them by the bourgeois, those who exploit workers for their own profit. He had it wrong.
Religion allows people to stand up for justice, human rights and the dignity of humankind. Christianity celebrate the interconnectedness of all people with each other, with God, with the Spirit. This - "we're all in this together" aspect allows people to be compassionate to those in need. Religious faith, allows people to go where the faithless would never dare to tread.
Consider Mother Teresa helping the poorest of the poor in Calcutta. Consider any number of Christian missionaries and aid workers around the globe. People, some like Tom Fox who gave his life in the name of peace.
It's not the people you read about that make the most difference though. It's all the people you don't read about - that you never hear about. The people that quietly, or sometimes not so quietly in the case of social injustice, exhibit their faith in countless ways. Faith allows those people to stand near the fire, near the pain, to stand up for what is right. It provides people courage and compassion - to be with others - beside them not looking up to them or down at them; but beside them as equally loved and lovable creatures of God.
Churches aren't where God lives, churches might be places where people learn something about God, but at their best they are a source - sending informed compassionate caring thoughful people into the world to do God's work.
Religious study, or any kind of self-work, should not be an end in itself - that's too selfish - it needs to prepare someone to give their best to others.
Religion at it's best it's not the opium of the masses but rather the energizer of the masses - to do good - to love one another - and to know that you are loved.
