Comment by Nix Manes on September 30, 2009 at 9:54pm

One of the things that drives human societies is simple inertia. We will continue to go the way we have been, supporting society's current structure unless there is a huge reason to change. Small and subtle changes do occur, of course, but a major change takes a major force.

Throughout human history, those in positions of leadership and power will continue there, even when their behavior changes drastically. To change a society's leadership is a massive change and most people are against drastic transformations, even if they don't like the current setup becasue it's scary to make huge changes.

For example, the American Revolution was not widely supported, even by those who wanted "change."

Think of the power of incumbency in democracies.

Think of domestic violence victims that stay in the marriages, sometimes for years.

Think of those who stay in jobs they hate.

Think of those who stay in areas destroyed by drought.

Think of people who still supported Michael Jackson after his behavior turned incredibly bizarre.

Historians have told us about many kings, queens, military leaders, and other more minor figures who went crazy but were still in power for years. After the mental breakdowns, these people have made claims of divine communication or support and they are simply believed. It's easier to go along, even when the person being followed is nuts.

One of the ways that people can live with themselves, so to speak, and justify their tendency to keep following someone who has had a mental breakdown is to declare a divine reason for it. If their bizarre behavior is because some god was behind it, well, then it's okay if you support the status quo.

Insanity doesn't disqualify someone from being a leader. It's sad, but true.

Comment by Anthony Hocken on October 1, 2009 at 4:14am

Alternatively he was a blatant liar already in some position of influence. We know the recent religions/cults have been invented by blatant liars, like the Mormons and Scientology, and there's no special reason why todays major religions are any different.

Comment by Wassabi on October 1, 2009 at 11:08am

I've been saying this for years! besides- the bible says he was 99 years old when god first revealed himself to him- Alzheimer!!!

so you've got this crazy, senile Shepard, who hears voices in his head telling him to circumcise himself with sharp rocks (ouch!!!) and murder his son...

how can anything healthy grow out of this?!?!?!

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