We do need religion! Religion has been a fundamental part of our civilisation for thousands if years. It is both true, in my opinion, and gives people hope for the future. What does atheism promise? Nothing but a meaningless life followed by death.
Religion is also the embodiment of free speech. In a society where we promote free speech and human rights, how can we take away the faith of others, regardless of our own feelings.
And finally, religion is a force for good. Without religion we would have no charity, no missionary work and no morals to base our lives upon. All that would be left would be a world corrupted by selfishness, hate and anarchy and every person who denies religion brings us a step closer to that dark world.