Religion and Power

The hypocrisy of religion is universal. You put somebody on a pedestal, especially a pedestal where he preaches "morality" at you, and inevitably he shows his feet are made of clay. The seduction of power is too great, and they end up in a sex scandal. It is interesting to note in this BBC report that this trait is universal and across all religions:

India guru quits after sex claims

A Hindu holy man in India has quit as head of a religious organisation after police launched a probe into allegations of obscenity against him.

Nithyananda Swami's announcement came weeks after a video emerged apparently showing him engaging in sexual acts with two women.

The guru has said he had done nothing illegal and the video scandal was "a false campaign".

Nithyananda Swami has a huge following in southern India.

The video shocked his devotees and angered locals - his ashram near the southern city of Bangalore was vandalised after TV channels broadcast the video.

I can understand the fall from grace of a hypocrite. What I don't understand is that people keep falling for the scam. It is just too obvious. Somebody is telling you how to live your life, you put them on a pedestal, they are tempted, they give in to temptation, and you look like a fool for having put them there. Why fall for this scam? Why put leaders (religion, political, business, etc.) on a pedestal? Why let them tell you how to live your life? Why fall for the idea that they are in some state of "holiness" or "power" or "knowledge" that you feels requires yourself to give yourself over to. Instead, take responsibility for your own life. Take your moral responsibilities seriously. Sure, take advice and work with others, but don't let look to somebody to have all the answers for you.