Artee - I understand ur POV and another friend of mine too said something on similar lines about her overall assessment of the show..for her as well, religion is a very personal matter, and such kind of a subject would make for a great book but probably not appeal while it translates into visual medium..it looks like it is dictating terms..
the difference for me though, since I was recommending it strongly, is between religion and spirituality here..one doesnt have to blindly follow any rituals, just for the sake of it, and its not about preaching or advocating any religion..Im quite a strict follower of mine, which possibly is the most meticulous branch of Hinduism probably..so wouldnt advocate another..
but some teachings are common across all of them, which I thought the show did a good job with...endorse simple living high thinking, treat fellow living beings - humans (animals..). even the smallest of beings with compassion...and in the end, its about connecting to god, who is not just up there somewhere, but within all of us as much..which can only be found, once we are rid of all material aspects and useless obsessions..