[FoRK] Re: Please Help

[Devon Jones]

Sat N wrote:
> You don't have that danger.
>
> There is no central authority. There are lots of religions in the
> world, each with its own  sects.
>
> You don't have the risk of central authority having absolute power.
> The pope might come close to being it for catholics,  but they often
> pick the stupidest guy they can find as the pope, so they lack the
> mental facilities to take control. So, I say we have an inbuilt
> protection in the system.
>
> There is no central authority in Islam, there isn't one in Hinduism,
> there isn't one in Judaism. Not too many religions believe in central
> authority.
>
>   
You don't need a central authority for the whole religion.  You just 
need a central authority for a group of people.  If the size is > 
100,000 people, they can do damage.

Even if the leader is dumb (perhaps especially)
Even if there are other opposing groups

Pat Robertson/Jimmy Swaggert
Numerous Ayatollahs
The Pope
The President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

All of these people have enough people following them that they can 
wield enormous power, and most have done so to the detriment of all of 
us at some point or other.

Is it really to our benefit to tell people that it's positive to listen 
to these ideologues, and obey them unquestioningly?

Devon