A mini-epiphany of the obvious: People bring to their religious practice some of their deepest desires and urges. I distinctly separate organized religion and individual spirituality. By deepest desires I'm referring more to ego and personality traits than desire for connection with some divine being or source.

So if a person desires power and prestige, they might become a politician or a religious leader. I'm not saying religious leaders are always ego driven or want power over other people but I am saying many activist religious leaders in the US seem to be motivated more by a crusading force than love of God.