Quote:
America is clueless as to what it believes.

One could easily apply this type of thinking to humanity in general rather than isolating it to the Americas


Quote:
"Is religion hardwired?"

Religion is a belief inspired by Self enquiry, and a lot of mixed information. Spirituality on the otherhand lay dormant within each personality, underneath the self identifications of the ego and it inspires one to give thought to ones life and its purpose of note, and the possible structure of the Universe and its life experiences.



Quote:
"Are there evolutionary reasons for its enormous popularity?"
The evolution of self awareness is the foundation for beliefs that are labeled religion. As a species mankind often lacks the imagination to elude superstition, and includes it in all of its sciences and theory in its process of growth or evolution.