Why churches are necessary

Because they are irreplaceable sources of propaganda concerning the fundamentals of social order not owned and operated by the corporations.

Yes, of course they are corruptible and corrupt.

But it is a good thing, on the whole, that a large part of the population is regularly subjected to pep talks and encouragements to cooperation, familial loyalty, responsibility, the everyday virtues, and courage for the trials of life.

And it is good that the makers of that propaganda are at least organizationally independent of economic or political interests.

And it is good that they are by no means politically impotent.

Enlightenment liberals saw this and theological liberalism has long held the role of religion and the churches to be encouragement of morality and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Their errors have been to think the churches could do this without grounding their moral teaching and their encouragement in a context of changeless and authoritative myth, and that morality was not itself already a myth.

None of which is to defend the least shred of establishment or theocracy.