I mean all religious leaders.
Any religious group, fellowship, Church, brotherhood etc. Has a leader. A person who commands a position of authority in the particular environ: one that is institutional, intellectual and one would assume spiritual in its basis. Since the presence of hierarchy is a natural characteristic of human organizations: secular or religious, a religious leader, who effectively guides the spiritual trajectory of the organization is to be expected.
Whilst the type and scope of authority of the leader will vary with religious institution in question, and the nature of its 'mission'. However, the role played by a titular head is one that wields power, and influence. One that is greater than his/her peers, and critically whose voice is given greater recognition over everyone else. But critically, the leader, as a consequence of his "anointed" position, is believed to have, not only greater authority in the workings of the institution, but also is seen as a representative of God's Word: One who necessarily holds a closer relationship with, and hence greater understanding of God's will. Thus the religious leader's words essentially become representative of God's wisdom and dangerously, His will.
In the course of this episode I will engage some of the problems inherent to a system of belief that revolves around this religious leader framework: which is a near universal one, particularly in the Christian world. Notably, on how it affects: