You are right about religion being a pretty powerful motivational force in the lives of folks who are stuck deep down one of life's holes. It's interesting to see not just how people are capable of finding hope in terrible circumstances, but how others such a priest or a community member use their faith to help out.

People need to study the good stuff religion does, improve it and stand up to the dogma and snake oil where it arises. It doesn't matter which religion you pick. They all exist because human suffering exists. And tech and science has ways to go in addressing human suffering.

I am not Christian nor have I have I read the bible or anything but there was this series of interviews with Joseph Ratzinger (former pope) by Peter Seewald that communicates this idea much better than I ever could.