Sadomasochistic morality

Though you all might enjoy another chunk of thesis so here it is

It is the cry of the Atheist that religion is the bane of man’s existence. It “poisons everything,” it is an opiate for the masses, a podium for pig-headed fundamentalists to inflict emotional and physical pain on the bleating masses. Lets grant this overblown, but not uncommon, description of religion and see what it does to atheism. Whether you believe that the world is six thousand years old or fourteen billion, religion has existed as long as humans have. Concerning the choice to be religious of not Hitchens points out that, “For the greater part of human existence, it must always be stressed, this ‘option’ did not really exist.” This dread institution is inseparable linked to humanity. Yet (most formally propounded by Thomas Hobbes, and held onto by Atheist past and present) human activity and morality is based on pleasure and pain, “the greatest happiness for the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation.” (according to Jeremy Bentham and repeated by Richard Dawkins .) If this is indeed the case, and if religion is as omnipresent throughout human history, then we are a very sadomasochistic race indeed. Humans have held on to an institution, which is, according to the modern atheist, only good for inflicting pain or being tortured with. Yet the great majority of humanity has found happiness in the heinous belief in God. Surely therefore, the Utilitarianism or Consequentialism of Bentham and Dawkins can’t be the foundation of moral. For the greater part of human history men have been esteeming as good and true a monster which can only lead to guilt and pain. Therefore the greatest happiness for the greatest number is found in this peculiar sadomasochism, making religion a good thing, or there is something genuinely wrong with religion, making Consequentialism and Utilitarianism an incomplete description of morality (keep in mind that these options are only necessary if you assume the bloated accusations listed against religion).