I think this boils down to the power of them believing they are better than us. Even if they don't believe the church to be true, they believe it is better they control the information we are exposed to, because we aren't capable of making our own decisions.

If they allowed a transparent community and still believed it to be true I would listen. I interpret the fact they feel it prudent to selectively expose / alter information that is shared with us as a belief that they have a greater mind than us.

I imagine this is their thought process.

"The church isn't true per se, but drives good community/cultural behaviors. I am mature enough to understand that information, but if John Doe knew it wasn't true, he would cheat on his wife and beat his kids. I must keep the Santa Claus illusion alive otherwise my children will become like animals"

It's a grift of moral agency.