Why We Are Religious

I recently came across a 2006 op/ed in the San Francisco Chronicle written by Dinesh D'Souza giving an evolutionary explanation for a religious world:

Now imagine two groups of people -- let's call them the Secular Tribe and the Religious Tribe -- who subscribe to one of these two views. Which of the two is more likely to survive, prosper and multiply? The religious tribe is made up of people who have an animating sense of purpose. The secular tribe is made up of people who are not sure why they exist at all. The religious tribe is composed of individuals who view their every thought and action as consequential. The secular tribe is made up of matter that cannot explain why it is able to think at all.

Should evolutionists like Dennett, Dawkins, Harris and Wilson be surprised, then, to see that religious tribes are flourishing around the world?

This also explains why American Christians won't elect atheist politicians. Why would you trust someone who believes that life has no purpose to govern so many lives? What is his or her purpose in being a politician?