Why does religion resemble brainwashing?

Brainwashing/Mind Control and Religion have a lot in common - You didn't mention "Love Bombing" "Peer Group Pressure" and "Chanting or Singing" as very common aspects of mind control efforts. In some churches; especially the "Charismatic" churches you can see almost every aspect of Mind Control games taking place... It's almost comical to watch if it weren't for the vast numbers of brainwashed sheep that actually fall for it.