Interesting findings. I think it’s interesting that the decline in religiosity seems to be more lack of trust in religious institutions, rather than just non-belief. I’m curious how this will affect organized religions. It seems religion is becoming more personal, with less of a social aspect, for better or worse.
Organized religion has same issues as most human organizations. Organizations tend to develop a life if their own and do not always serve their customers or other stakeholders and can do things that are counter productive. They also can develop a internal power structure run by people seeking their own ends.
The internet and social media makes it harder to cover up any shady dealing, no matter what it is. Back then, if you can avoid getting on the newspaper/TV, most people wouldnt know what a group did.