This is the draw of the Boy Scouts, street gangs, political parties, cults, and religions. It is also the reason we form governments and have societies at all. Religion cropped up with the development of larger societies. When people have a diminished role, they seek out better groups. Not one exists.
Impoverished workers feel empowered, then come to find that they are secondary to the state.
If the USSR had allowed organized religion, they would have had an outlet for the people and remained in power another 30 years. People want to be part of something bigger and better than themselves, even if they have to invent something to be a part of. I have a lot of instincts left over from the ape days. One encourages me to form groups, and another encourages me to play an active, important role.