I personally think that religion was created to enforce a sense of morality onto the general public, (Ill use Christian terms etc for this). Places like Heaven and Hell encouraged people to stand in the lines of a moral code, or else they would suffer eternal unrest in Hell. Hell would have discouraged people to steal, rob, and Heaven would encourage people to be good citizens. Jesus's teachings/miracles/act of wonders etc. were to 'capture' the audience, and the stories would have been morphed over time, so then it was thought to be hardcore fact. But that is my opinion and beliefs when it comes to Religion :). Your beliefs and opinions may vary. Edit: Encourage was encouraged. Whoops.