Yup, that just about sums it up. But only for those who are brave enough to face life on their own -- and capable of it.
Many people need everything you identified as degrading and pointless. They aren't strong enough, visionary enough, or intelligent enough to do otherwise. It's a shame, but going it alone is only possible for the few. That's changing. We are not there yet though.
Most major religions began with one face for the masses (rudimentary instructions for living), and deeper esoteric aspects for the few that were capable of more. Predictably, the masses have perverted their rudimentary version of spirituality by proclaiming it as the ultimate, all inclusive path. What else could they do? They didn't have the necessary to understand the deeper aspects. We are experiencing a strength-in-numbers problem in this issue.
But those numbers are changing. Every day, more people are exposed to alternative thought that the narrow vision of big religion excludes.
People are becoming braver. We have reason to be hopeful.
So are you are going to tackle politics next :-)
John
Self Help for Sensitive Souls — Zen-Moments