I didn't choose to do religion, its compulsary at my school.
But its not actually a bad course. Personally, I think organised religion is a form of conformity, and like you said SgtSlick, brainwashing.
However, its actually kinda interesting learning about some of the things people believe, even if those beliefs seem crazy to me. And it helps you to understand people better, and the religious reasons behind their choices.
Besides, the course isn't asking you to believe in religion, its simply asking you to believe that OTHER people believe in religion.