Buddhism offers a way to end a person's suffering the eightfold path. However 99.99 of people who profess to follow the eightfold path fail to end their suffering. Is it not then fair to say that the religion of buddhism is simply a failure or a prime example if misselling?

You are looking at enlightenment and liberation as if through a straw, with your own concepts coloring your vision, you are looking for justification of your ideas. Zen practice is about letting go of these concepts and ideas, not looking for a special experience and state of mind, but rather to find it right in front of you in every moment. If you are still full of doubt, you need to follow a true teacher.