Chardin. You find that he basically has a theological project that sets the groundwork for something similar to what you describe of the structure of Dune. Not necessarily that the initial see of religion was intentionally a deceptive trick but that humans are evolving into something that was first a powerful and motivating myth among myths.

Crudely stated: the evolution of human consciousness and religion/spirituality will culminate in the literal evolution of Human's (and our contexts) into a collective Body of Christ composed of individual beings embodying Christ. He proposes that this is the true God that all religions (and their accompanying myths and rituals) have been building toward). Known as "the omega point"

pretty sweet stuff if you're into deep theological ponderings like Brother Joseph.