Probably both. It was part of a battle in the class war, a fundamental one, of the information control. Back then the non-mainstream superstition flown from another sources, and was uncontrolled, offered alternative narration and, as you said, alternative possibilities, so it needed to be destroyed. Right now, the non-mainstream superstition flow from the same source as the mainstream, they are only the safety valve. “Don’t like capitalism? Consumerism sickens you? Hear what this guru here have to say, or whatever, we have full offer to you, even with discounts and home delivery! Class? Marx? Never heard of it.”