It would teach compassion for both communities and individuals. It would promote charity. Religion helps people to overcome or simply deal with hardship and loss. Religion, and by extension the organized church, can be a positive force for social change. It provides structure and community that influence individual behavior.
Religion teaches redemption and the ability to forgive.
Religion provides a means to overcome fear. Broadening the role of religion in public life can help people understand where morals and values come from. It would give people a common vocabulary. It would give people hope and provide framework for individuals to find meaning in their lives. It might transform religion itself in a healing way.