Schadenfreude

Yet another evangelical Xtian pastor, supposedly (at least formerly) one of the most influential pastors in the entire United States, with the ear of the prez, was brought low this week. He was fired today by the board of directors that oversee his church. Just as former influential preachers like Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker, this guy is alleged to have committed some "moral indiscretions."

I couldn't help but laugh at the man's plight. It's bad of me, I know, but who honestly comes to believe in these people? Sometimes I think that the certain sects look for charismatic leaders, willing to ignore certain behaviors, in order to gain converts to their sects. It's wonderful to find something to believe in, some kind of faith in this world. But when you put all your faith in your leaders, and then the leaders admit to some sort of moral failure, how do you go on? Is your faith shaken? Or do you realize that these leaders are human too? Do you find the next leader, who seems to be everything you were looking for? Do you reexamine your own imperfections?

I just don't think that I could put my faith in such a person, so completely. I know that a lot of these groups are out to make money. They see a populace looking for answers, and the tax-free status of churches probably attracts a lot of flim-flam men (and women). No one is perfect. I don't think church leaders have to be perfect. But if you are claiming to be a high and mighty, holier-than-thou, all sinners should go straight to hell and should never be forgiven kind of preacher, then practice what you preach.

There is nothing I can't stand more than a hypocrite, and I love to see hypocrites brought to their knees, especially hypocrites of faith.