[djohnson(XLCmember)]

I'll accept that leaders have more responsibility. Maybe the split should be 60/40. Nonetheless both parties are responsible. And for either side to argue how much the split should be is really moot because regardless of the exact number some of it is squarely on their shoulders.

If a leader and the yes men he surrounds himself with teach that he is God's one oracle on the earth today, his is the only legit church and his publications the only ones allowed then once this is accepted no further discernment on the part of the followers is required and the leaders are free to do whatever they want. (Contrary to this sick situation believer/followers are expected to exercise ongoing discernment e.g. the church in Ephesus and false apostles.) If this fairy tale is never accepted in the first place then leaders can be held accountable and protocols with checks and balances can be put in place that protects followers from abusive leadership.