Yes, it is strange how religion can serve either as a tool of liberation or of oppression, just like most social constructs and sources of power.
You would think that the idea of an afterlife would cause high time preference, since ideas like honor and greatness could theoretically persist for the individual. What value is a strong family after you pass, if individuals encounter oblivion, and therefore it makes no difference in the end?
Ironically, you could cast this as idolatry in a religious context: idolizing corruptible human authority figures. When you understand that "infinite, unknowable" God is the only source of truth, it forces you to be more skeptical of your fellow man.
Thus I think dogmatism and blind belief is the real culprit here. You see the same thing with the Science™ and secular fiat sheeple today.