Does religion have a sell by date?

[Soph0571]

It is predicable and understandable that where people are living in relative comfort, without a fear of real poverty, starvation, death or torture, they are much less likely to turn to a higher power for comfort and spiritual uplifting. Spiritual uplifting helps when your belly is empty; you can’t afford to send your children to school, and the very roof over your head is at risk. Belief in a higher power, praying for solace and escape from your misery may well help when you live a life of pain and fear?

However as the world turns, the global village becomes more of a reality and as people are lifted out of extreme poverty will the same spiritual needs still exist? If the patterns of current religious affiliations in the west form any part of a larger pattern, religion does indeed have a sell by date.