Religion as Survival Technique

I heard an interesting interview on NPR not too long ago. The expert was an anthropologist talking about the fact that the societies that survived and thrived were the ones that believed in a religion. The reason -- those societies thought they would someday have to pay for their bad deeds and would be rewarded for their good deeds. That encouraged them to help other people rather than living an "every man for himself" life.
When people helped each other, they were more likely to survive as a society.
Therefore, survival of the fittest meant that the societies that had religious beliefs were more likely to grow and prosper. Now, we are genetically inclined to believe in religion because that is what helps our society.
Isn't that amazing?
I thought of it again this morning when I read Linda's blog "Frenchless in France." She's writing about things to do in Aix en Provence and there's a cathedral there with columns that came from the old Temple of Apollo. I wonder how the early Christians mixed their beliefs with those from the Romans and Greeks? She also shows a carving of St. Martha and a dragon. I just love the melding of beliefs and fears. Take a look at her blog if you want to see the pictures and some other places to visit that aren't all about religion. http://lindamathieu.com/