Where did you come across info regarding that?
and the rest of your post in spot on.
Goes without saying that religions have always sought control of their flocks. In the old world, people had relatively little in terms of material possessions, so religions only needed to get your hearts and minds. "Have more kids, and make sure you raise them right by bringing them to OUR god"...
In the new world, though, and especially since the creation of 'America', people have more opportunity than ever to acquire material goods, which can very easily result in less interest in remaining part of a flock. Think about the wealthiest people you know...how many of them would put church/God in the top 3 things they care about in life apart from their families? And of those who do, how many are BUSINESSPEOPLE?
Look at the way our tax code is set up. Income tax is a major scam! More 'dependents' means a greater reduction in taxable income when all the allowances are taken. Every kid is an allowance, right? People often wonder why there are so many tax preparation places in the heart of real ghetto neighborhoods. Why do people with zero earned income file tax returns? Because they're PAID to do so.
The churches benefit from the same system, which is why they keep it in place. Churches pay no property taxes, so that cost is borne by non-churchers. The donations given to churches are not taxed either. Church people argue that it's only after-tax income which is donated, but that's not entirely true, because the amount donated actually REDUCES that payer's tax burden because they get a dollar-for-dollar credit on their taxable income. Given the community welfare performed by many churches, there is a justifiable basis for allowing them to pay no property taxes, but there are untold billions in donations that would've been taxed, but are not, meaning that the non-churchers end up paying more than their fair share.
As for the institutions themselves, I have NO PROBLEM with people donating money, however, by continuing to leverage a system that benefits only church people and leaving the rest of us to pay the tab for THEIR worship, this is a most unethical business practice being disguised as something else.