Here is what “religion” did for me personally. 1. Caused me to be miserable because I felt that I did not measure up. 2. Caused me to experience guilt about almost everything. 3. Caused me to distrust almost everyone. 4. Caused me to wonder about creation, life, and life after death. 5. Failed to free me from some habits and ‘tics’ that were taking over my life.

When I became a Christian my first ‘feeling’ was a feeling of relief and I did not even know why I felt that way. I realized for the first time that I did not feel anxious about everything. Two things happened to me that cannot be explained any way except to say that “God, through the Holy Spirit, did this.” I was freed from the ‘tics’ and I began to understand the Bible. Up until that time, the Bible had been a book that made me pretty miserable. After I trusted the Lord, it was opened to me in a new way. Passages that had seemed to me to be very confusing were suddenly clear. I was thrilled when I realized the true message that it held. The old feelings were gone and I had a peace. Suddenly I was not alone. I had Someone who was always there for me. I wanted to tell others and not keep these wonderful truths to myself.

I think that the following points you gave a negative to would have a positive in a Christian’s life.

Establishing a system of ethics (+)
Understanding human nature (+)
Honestly representing its own perspectives (At least in regard to Christianity) (+)
Providing comfort or aid to those afflicted with mental illnesses (+) (On this one, I am going to say that at least for me there was comfort and aid. I had come to a point that I had a ritual of things I had to do to ward off bad things. I think it bordered on mental illness and I may have crossed the border from time to time. Christ delivered me from those things and I love Him and thank Him for what He has done for me.)

Remember that “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” Ephesians 4:8

Read Ephesians 3:14-21