It's all 'on balance', isn't it? Same with the church - it was a glue that held communities together, where people would gather, support each other and have a moral code to live by. But the church - well, we all know it's flaws.
By the way, have you seen the new Australia lamb ad? It mentions Finland so I thought of you.
Yes, the church is a good example of community glue. We still need that glue, evidenced by all the people jumping on random social movements of one kind or another looking for meaning and somewhere to belong. Unfortunately, they don't actually do anything - just look to feel like they are.
Haven't seen the ad :)