Происхождение религии. Виктор Лега

Why is the question of the "origins of religion" so important? How valid is the theory that explains religion through fear of nature? What is the difference between understanding religion as "opium of the masses" and "opium of the people"? Can Freud's concept of God as "a father devoured by his sons" be taken seriously? Viktor Petrovich Lega discusses this. http://www.pravoslavie.ru/94796.html