Are religions just fairytales, like many atheists on the internet say? Why or why not?

I don’t think religions are as simple as fairytales in general. I think most of them are complex traditions that pass on answers and theories from the past. I don’t get me wrong, I’m not religious. But I do see that there has been some value in religion to passing on culture and to creating a shared sense of meaning. Again I am not saying that religions are necessary or that they are particularly good or bad, but that’s what I think they have been. Fairytales are different because they are known to be faults and they often don’t communicate long-held values- they are simpler stories. Religions on the other hand create an entire thought world for people to enter and on which the base of life. Religions create meaning and purpose and a sense of identify in this chaotic world.

Again this is incredibly damaging sometimes. Sometimes it’s terribly oppressive, but that’s what I think they are.