[Thor]

I believe that that need for transcendent has evolved from something ancient humans used for some benefit (evolutionary reason) and eventually religion formed to occupy this in the human mind.

When people ask me what would replace religion, like its inconcievable that this could happen I point to the secular nations of the nordic people and other EU nations. They have for the most part left religion behind, even though many of these nations keep many traditions alive like marriage/funerals/baptisms in churches. Its called cultural traditions, I think the further our various countries advance this is the eventuality.

I do think we will enter a period next in the west where people have lost interest in the old organized religions and something will fill those voids similar to what we see with all these people jumping into 'the secret' and incoporating eastern bhuddist ideals.

But ultimately, the next phase I think is less rigid beliefs, less dogma, more evolved religion, and ultimately more secularist societies.

I've been hooked on reading about neuroscience this last 6 months and there is a great deal of work being done to explain the brain on religion, comparing to secularists.

I do think science can answer alot of these questions, its just going to take a lot of time as neuroscience is now at the barrier of the quantum world in the race to understand the human mind and consciousness.