Interpreting the meaning behind the Hierogrammates

I've finished UotNS recently and I'm thinking about the series alot. I haven't delved too deeply into theories and other people's interpretations yet, but I've had an idea what Wolfe's intention behind the Hierogrammates might be since they were introduced: they represent the concept of religion itself.

When I think about why religion was created in the first place, it always comes down to finding answers for the unexplainable and meaning in our existence. But religion is also practised to become a better person. Humanity created religion to be better than they are.

The Hierogrammates were created (or will be created in the future? Time travel, you know...) by highly advanced humans and now exists to push less advanced humans to become what they could be, to make them realize their potential. So they can become better than they are.

Near the end of Urth of the New Sun, Severian realizes that neither he, nor the Hierodules or Hierogrammates or any other being that was ever revered as a god is God, except for the Increate himself. Humanity in our world created and revered many people and beings as gods, just like humanity in the BotNS created the Hierodules, worshipped sea monsters and even Severian. I think this is Wolfe saying that he does believe in God, but that the versions of him/them we created are probably not "the one."

I'm not saying Wolfe was calling any religion "wrong." If I remember correctly, he was a Catholic himself. But that there were once people who thought that thunder is divine wrath. A lot of thinks that seem like God's work are thinks we can't explain because we are just human.

I might be entirely on the wrong track with all of this, so please let me know what you think about my interpretation. If there are any good analysis about the Hierogrammates, I would love to read/listen to them