You're basically right. But here's an argument to get to a renewed commitment to the good stuff in religion: the catholic church needs accountability if it gets into politics. When things move from blabbing talking points and mere POV from Rome to make it work ... I think things would change. Either they'd retreat and focus on religion or move far more strongly to avoid wars in the first place through religious instruction.

Without accountability blurbs here and there from politicians, pope's, clerics are like what a recent HN article calls being lost in the world of symbols and symbol references i.e. practical nonsense.

You can't really get to know a player unless they've got skin in the game. Short of that it's shadow boxing.