They are competitors because that 'thing' inside of us to do something greater than ourselves is built into the human software stack and it gets manipulated in those who's upbringing didn't allow them to think for themselves or don't find themselves in a moment of clarity to begin to think for themselves because the forces of the world keep pulling on them in whatever direction it wants.
Communism has state atheism because religion is a competitor.
They are competitors because that 'thing' inside of us to do something greater than ourselves is built into the human software stack and it gets manipulated in those who's upbringing didn't allow them to think for themselves or don't find themselves in a moment of clarity to begin to think for themselves because the forces of the world keep pulling on them in whatever direction it wants.
You're overthinking it.