A "support group" doesn't provide the foundations upon which religion is built:
1. Hope for immortality.
2. Hope for an order to world, that makes sense that we're just not privy to.
3. Hope for protection for ourselves and loved ones.
4. Absolution of our transgressions.
5. Mechanism for community.
6. Mechanism for charity.
All of these are powerful psychological motivators, and largely "good" things.
When the Bible was written, there was need to populate the Earth to advance mankind, and Christian culture. So we get things like "spilling seed on the ground" (Onan), "Laying with a man as with a woman" (Leviticus), "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis).
Nonetheless, people largely shouldn't kill others, commit adultery, steal, covet, etc and like it or not the origins of much of rule of law and our modern "morality" can be found in the Bible.
Whether Divine word or brilliant social planning or both, religion does far more good than harm.
Truthfully, a support group is what you create it to be.
1. No such thing as immortality. That's a promise man created to sooth fear of death and worry about having lived a worth while life. It is also used as a threat. That promise is metaphorical not literal. If there is something after this life it can not be described or defined by human comprehension.... or a book of pretty words that also within its pages contains and condones such filth and deplorable expectations or requirement in the name of God. I certainly walk the earth in a way that gives a nod to some of what the Bible says because I am a good person with good intentions and a desire to be kind but that book is not why I am who I am.
2. Humans know how to live among one another, we just don't. God will do nothing to change it. "Hope" or payer changes nothing. Actions do.
3. Is that God protecting you? No. God let's you live or die exactly how it goes down.
4. We must absolve ourselves to be worthy. But even if we don't we're still embraced. <--- I know, difficult to digest.
5. Community happens with or without God or church.
6. Too often Charity through church involves shame. Charity should always be about personal and individual generosity.
Religion, especially organized religion has done far more damage than good when you look to the world rather than the four walls of the church an individual attends. Sure there are good churches and I'm no one to judge which for sure but every one thinks their church is one of the good ones.
I stick with converting all churches of all kinds to support groups without gospel, scripture, doctrine... but instead speaks of humanitarianism, inclusion, motivation, encouragement, acceptance, love, kindness, generosity... but stops there. If it's important to those attending such a group gathering then end the meetings by telling them God Loves Them.
This is what I know and feel. Not one single soul needs to agree with me. My confidence is high and my spirit is free. I ask no one to confirm God's love for me. I rely only on me to do and be the kind of human I know I'm supposed to be.