When step 2 intersects with capitalism, all the other stuff just naturally follows. Sure there are people who legitimately want to help people (read an article about 2 Christians giving up their high paying jobs to spend their time making affordable housing for the poor and indigenous people) but they’re increasingly becoming the minority.

That said, money based religions are only one oppressive group that bands together for profit and control. Religions aren’t much different than political parties (hence the smashup between many) and corporations, organized crime, etc.

Human nature, rather than being inherently good, tends to be inherently bad. Hence why most giant groups tend to be oppressive by nature. It’s why I believe that there shouldn’t be giant concentrations of wealth and power.

Learning about religion in school isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We studied the major religions, Buddhism, pantheism, and to a lesser degree minor religions as a part of social studies in 7th grade. I think it was the first time anyone actually told me there were ‘options’ other than Christianity. More importantly, it helped me understand where others are coming from even though I don’t share their faith. If it’s approached from a purely educational standpoint I think religion does have a place in school - and I’m an atheist. We just shouldn’t be presenting any of it as fact or “right” when it’s all a matter of opinion, nor teaching them about any one specific religion and excluding others.