Religion has been a social virus since it was originally conceived. A communicable means of social confinement that interferes with the perception of reality in such a way as to prevent certain behaviors and encourage others, often with undesirable social side effects.
It is programming. And, it can be inflicted on others without their consent, often causing permanent damage to entire cultures, up to and including eradication.
Religion is an absolutely genocidal thought weapon designed to prey on ignorance and evade societal defenses.
Inherently evil in form and function. Always was.