I agree with you that religion is a tool. Some use it for good and some use it for ill. Religion as part of our psychic history as well as a form of identity - definitely valid. I do think that the true scale of religion’s contribution to war, death and subjugation of human beings should also be acknowledged.
Religion is an extremely powerful tool and people generally use it to control others. I'm not talking spirituality, I'm talking about anything that dictates to you how to have a relationship with your god (something that only you can do) - religion. This is why I respectfully disagree with your statement that religion is "a recounting of the history of the human soul" rather, I would say "religion is a recounting of the history of trying to control the human soul."
I appreciate the time you took with this post, I can tell that you put a lot of thought and creativity into it. It was some really good food for thought. Thank you!