Agnostic here. I actually wrote a paper on this subject but my Christian professor didn't like it to much. It seems to me that religion was created to give people a hope that when they die, they will go to a better place. The second reason is if you look back in time, rulers and kings pressed religion on there people to make them fear going to hell or whatever and thus, they act like a good (enter religion) and you have less crime and a better society.

Edit: I believe there could be a higher power but would need some proof of existence.