Scion

Formal organized religions, were the tools of kings and emperors who they used to legitimize their rule and armies as sanctioned and appointed by gods. They were conducted by priests, sometimes castrated or otherwise surgically altered priests, who were their privileged slaves/servants. They were able to pass this off on some highly superstitious people in ancient times....especially the traumatized women and children who were left after they invaded, raped, pillaged, and robbed the various lands, expanding their empires, and often killing off all the men. All who they conquered were considered their subjects/slaves and property and had to pay them tributes/taxes in various forms. the rulers were considered gods on earth or gods appointed-thus better than everyone else and legitimate in killing any at will. Religion and formal scriptures were old school propaganda of sorts and a psychological way of manipulating/ruling kingdoms and empires. The ones who created it never believed it. In reality, most of these kings and rulers practiced the dark arts.

Spirituality, however...is a different thing completely.