[Jedd]

FWIW I am trying to interpret, and presenting my case, in good faith.

I don't accept the claim that religious activity makes everyone involved (at least on the believers' side) happier. In almost all cases there's no control to compare to - you have to compare different people, rather than the same person(s) with & without religion, and then you're back to the causality question.

The question of charity I've responded to in a sibling thread.