The Gods are not meant to enslave the mind, they are powerful uplifting symbols to focus the mind upon. Try this experiment. Here are 2 words, “Gun� and “ ambience�. Which word creates a more powerful impression in your mind. Probably the word “gun.’ It is a thing. It is an object with observable qualities. Like the world around you. “Gun’ also symbolizes something for you. Perhaps it symbolizes violence, or your grandfather who used to shoot guns with you when you were a kid.
The point being, the mind uses symbols and creates deep connections through them. It is much easier for the mind to relate to a powerful relevant symbol than to an abstraction like  “Ambienceâ€? or “God.â€? Even if you know what the word means, it does not conjure up much of an image or emotion in you.