James wrote that according to God "pure and undefiled religion is to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world". Using that definition, the examples used above describe a defiled religion - a false religion - potentially a cult.
According to James, what will the Christian religion do when it is properly and fairly developed? "Pure religion" would mean being genuine and sincere - and, free from an improper or hypocritical mixture -- and undefiled before God (God's opinion, not ours). Note: James doesn't say there is nothing else essential to religion; but seems to be saying that true religion is demonstrated in life's actions and choices. It would show itself in serving others, in consistency, and in not giving in to the "worldly" (in this example, "worldly" would basically be defined by the New Testament - James' "religion").
If a religion uses a standard as their basis (the example being the Catholic church referenced above and the Bible), and then doesn't abide by their own standard (they say it's God given, but they don't follow it), haven't they proved themselves false? It amazes me how many "religions" do this. "We believe the Bible is the one and only perfect God's word", but "we don't follow it or really even know what it says". Christianity is certainly not the only religion to have been defiled similarly.