Some good points made here.

I think what has happened with all major religions is a type of broken telephone effect.

A long time ago, some well-meaning chap tried to record and pass down some wisdom/insight about the nature of the universe that may have been derived via psychedelic substances and/or meditation/introspection, but due to incorrect translations and misunderstanding by some less informed people, the original ideas were perverted.

And to this day, unfortunately, this perversion persists in the minds of arrogant and ignorant people looking to dominate others.