Both religions and men have a purpose in this reality, they just have to find it in order to provide an understanding of themselves. An understanding of oneself, whether a man or an institution such as religion, is necessary before one can visualize the direction and actions one should take in this reality. Religions, like man and men, lack the understanding of where men, each of us as individuals, originated. The concepts of what happens to man after death and how each consciousness, soul, showed up in this reality in the first place, are perplexing and are dealt with in terms of faith rather than combining what we know of faith with what we know of rationality. Religion, science, mysticism, mythology, deja vu, philosophy, all attempt to keep their own individuality rather than work together.
Religions are a guide for men.
They always have been. They always will be. Religions aren't institutions. They aren't places you go on special days. They are guides to ways of life.