Let me put the question in another way. Does anyone gain respect or recognition or does anyone survive merely because he has a religion? I don't think so.
Religion and religious beliefs are human creations that have been given various forms and traditions and cultures have been built upon it for different purposes, some positive and some negative. Positive in the sense that following a religion connects him to the supernatural power and that provides him solace and strength, though whether it is illusory or not is still a subject of debate. Negative in the sense that it has led to division of humanity into different fragments and has created different castes and creeds which have been the handiwork of a few who wanted to show that they are the closest ones to the Supreme power.
Religion, as Dr Rao has said, is merely a way of life and it molds you into a form that keeps you in a group that has similar beliefs and culture. It is not a requirement for one to survive or to be recognized. You survive and you get recognized based on your efforts and merits.
Let religion remain religion. It is neither air, water nor food. Follow it if you feel like or don't follow. It is individual choice, and one cannot be forced to follow one religion or the other.
'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
-Aristotle