I disagree. Religion is the medium. The true disease is narcissism and psychopathy on one end, and apathy on the other. Individuals with considerable traits of either/both use religion to gain power and manipulate others to further their Machiavellian goals, just like they use any system that concentrates power and control. Others either tolerate, embrace, or even encourage it.
I think you might be missing the point. Religion isn't an autonomous being that created itself. Religion, and the guidance it provides, was made by narcissistic and psychopathic people to manipulate others. Again, it's the medium used for control, but not the controlling entity.
What you're talking about (the narcissists that can manipulate it) is the vast minority. For the vast majority, they take its dictations and let it control their life. Whatever it says goes. Religion didn't create itself, but it is now its own being which dictates to people. Most people don't have the capacity to question it.