The problem with organized "Religions" is that those "in charge" can't resist injecting their own "interpretations". The result is that most are dying off. In this case, I would like to ask how these guys became so enlightened that they presume to speak for GOD?
Like you were saying. The problem with organized religion is the power it affords fallen men: who have always wanted to “be as gods.” They can’t help, as you said, pandering in order to increase their power.