Origin of religion

I do not claim that religion is central and essential to human existence. However my study of religion makes me think that probably it was invented to save man from possibly succumbing to mere materialistic existence where enhancing the devices to stimulate and fulfill the desires of the sense organs would be the only aim of life. Perhaps religions wanted to make man open to the beauty of life, to be in rhythm with the universe and be aware of a self which is not just the sum total of his sense experiences. Off course it is possible to be open to such possibility even without religion. Poetry, literature to some extent aspires for the same I guess. Religion is the peak and culmination of such endeavors such as literature and poetry. I would call religion “Inner poetry”. However it is attainable even without religion, I have seen such people in my life that stayed away from religion and been wonderful people. You cannot possibly invent anything that is already not there in this universe.