"The leader has the answers"

is what I keep hearing and wonder is it because the person didn't take time to find the answer themselves or they think a human leader is infallible? I'll want to immediately ask the person why he/she thinks the leader has the answers and that they wouldn't be able to provide one if they searched for it themselves? And with the answer they found, they could then discuss with the leader at the same level and be sharpened as a result? At least you know the leader isn't leading you blindly or "smoking" you.

That is, if we take the basis that we're to discern what we're taught and not blindly follow, even if the leader is sincerely teaching for our own good.

If the basis is that the leader has the answers and the only one who has the answers, then it might all fall apart when the flaws of the leader's character is one day revealed. It would be really painful and disastrous for one.

Hope that all friends will consider for themselves how we sometimes place a human leader on a pedestal and we don't want to use our brains because it's the easy way out? I urge you all to know what you believe and hold on to, and to have healthy discussions where we listen to one another, and agree to disagree, whether on the same beliefs or different.

Reminds me of Jay Smith and how he has debates with his muslim friends in Hyde Park and after the debate, they will still be friends and have a drink together at nearby KFC. It's not for the sake of arguing over words, but a strong concern for each other and to ask the difficult questions which a friend you dearly love should consider, and leave it as it is. For us, christians, we'll keep our friends in prayer after that.