Stalwart atheist here and mother of an 18 year old who makes Dawkins sound like a woolly minded liberal. 
He'll calm down in time.
I think organised religions allow people to take from them what their existing personality seeks. Inherently "good/nice" people find it a source of comfort and it can enable them to do much to benefit others. Sadly people who like power and control can use their church for less beneficial ends.
What upsets me is the extent to which indoctrination seeps into the pores - even when you've decided you've moved on from that upbringing, and impacts you and others in life changing ways. Yes, I do have experience here and no, it's not me - I was raised as an Anglican. The only indoctrination I have is a penchant for tea and sandwiches.