I don't know why people believe in religion (especially in today's world with the all information available few mouse clicks away) but I think it's their right to believe in whatever they want. For example I was raised in a family where my mother has been christian and my father has been atheist. Until I was 17 I believed in God and Jesus but after reading many books and documentaries I stopped believing. And it was on my own. Nobody forced me to believe or not to believe.
The most important thing is that whatever you believe in does not harm anyone. As long as you keep it for yourself and for your own spiritual good I don't see any problem. I know my mother finds strength in her belief so why would I try to convince her to stop believing.
I think that many people search for purpose in their life.
I believe also in the spiritual reality, not just physical.
Yes, scientists can create many ''nice'' things and our life is better now than before, but still many people feel''empty'' and without purpose of life.
Do you think that technology or science can give us purpose of life?
Or help us find ''inner'' peace in our mind?
I don't think so.
When we talk about God, we are talking about spiritual reality, and science can't help us in this area.
All our sense is controlled by neuron and scientists are looking to understand our cell from its basic cell such as stem cell until differentiated cell such as nerve cell. Hence, if scientists can truely understand how the system/feeling happen around our body, the spiritual need shouldn't become a problem.
Another way to deal with these problems can be looked from sociology.
Sociology is a science that state the problems, define the conclusion and suggest the solutions.
I agree that science can research our body, neuron, cells and understand how everything works but I still don't think that science can prove or understand spiritual reality around us, God, or give us internal guidance or purpose of life.
Many people understand science, but still don't feel happy or content with their life.
It's obvious that something is ''missing''.
Money, wealth, job, knowledge, education are important for our lives but we, human beings, need much more to be happy and fulfilled.
I think that religion can give some answers which science can't give.
People believe in religion because there are a lot of question that can't be answered but by only thing they know is that there is a divine person who started it all, who created us and everything. It is much easy to put it in this way.
Also God is their source of hope in times when they are down and provides a purpose in their life like as you afforementioned. Science can't answer all this questions and can't disprove what these believers believe in which become a stalemate.
I don't oppose religions as long as they instill goodness to each one of us or to everybody.