There is degradation everywhere. This is because people don’t develop their consciousness. Lack of knowledge realization is the cause of degradation. 

Unfortunately, many Vedic religious organizations have become beggars of money instead of givers of knowledge. Just as the ocean can never be filled by pouring water into it, the Vedic religious organizations have become like the ocean, they keep taking and are never satisfied. Instead of using money donated by the public to spread knowledge which will benefit the public, they use it to destroy nature (trees) and spread more cement (build buildings).

Following Religion without Knowledge and Understanding is Speculation

Doing anything speculative is Ignorance and Negligence

Ignorance and Negligence leads to Degradation

Degradation leads to irreligion and atheism

Irreligion leads to more misery and birth in lower species

“Salvation does not come from the mere sight of me without strenuous yogic practices. Whoever thoroughly understands my law, is released from the net of suffering even though he may never see me.” “Just as man cannot be cured of a disease by the mere sight of a physician without taking the prescribed medicine, similarly the one who hears my Dharma but does not put it into practice, he cannot be liberated by mere sight.” (Lord Buddha)

Going to Temples and taking darshan of Dieties is certainly good, but at the same time we must gain more knowledge realization to develop our consciousness. This is the purpose of the many teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita and Shrimad-Bhagavatam. The whole purpose of attending Shrimad-Bhagavatam Katha for 7 days is so that we may increase and change our consciousness for the better by listening to the various stories and teachings. One teaching will click with some, another one with another person and so on.

There are some people who have become low ballers (or low grade humans) or have miserly mentality, despite making a show of being religious. This is because they never developed their consciousness.

By listening from a sincere preacher, one can gain proper knowledge and understanding and develop his/her consciousness. The purity of the preacher and practical explanation of the Vedic teachings are very important factors. 

“In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. And one who has become accomplished in the practice of devotional service enjoys this knowledge within himself in due course of time.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 4.38)

“Therefore, the doubts which have arisen in your heart out of ignorance should be slashed by the weapon of knowledge. Armed with yoga, O Bhārata, stand and fight.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 4.42)

“Knowledge is the ultimate perfection of self-realization…” (Lord Krishna, Shrimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.2)

“O most intelligent Uddhava, the living entity, called jīva, is part and parcel of Me, but due to ignorance he has been suffering in material bondage since time immemorial. By knowledge, however, he can be liberated.” (Lord Krishna, Shrimad-Bhagavatam 11.11.4)