Religion doesn't make someone a better person

I agree with you on this, but religious communities are great at organizing people to do things, for good or evil. If they organize to go out and serve the community, they are much more effective than individuals acting on their own. On the other hand, when they organize politically, they can become a destructive and malevolent force for anyone who isn't like them.

Religion is just a tool, like a hammer. It can be wielded to build up or to beat down. I've been fortunate that most of the Christians in my social sphere want to build up. And no, they don't believe I'm going to hell. They just think I can't be as "happy" as they claim to be, because they ascribe their happiness to their religious community and beliefs. It's a bit annoying and misguided, but not evil.