As for “religion”, the real puzzle for progressives is that it has persisted for hundreds of thousands of years, and know one knows why.

But “religion” is a vague name for any number of things: World view, philosophy, superstition, ethical system.

Some “religions” have ethics, but no god (Confuscian ethics). OThers have
Others have gods but not ethics (mainly superficial believers in any of a number of “religions” that try to manipulate a deity/spirit, both traditional and major religions).

Then you have pious atheists who rebel against religion because of it’s ethical system (mainly Western types who want to be free of traditino).

Finally, you have the “modern” atheistic utopian believers, from Communists to jihadis to progressives in the US…seeking to make utopia, and finding the quiet “religious” believers are the problem with the world.

Take your pick.