The opinion of Christians and Muslims on Spiritual Leaders?

Question

In light of the scandal of Rev. Ted Haggard (the former president of National Association of Evangelicals and the former pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs), what do the Christians and Muslims think of a spiritual leader (such as the pastor for Christians and the imam for the Muslims)? Are they, the spiritual leaders, above accountability?


Could the knowledgable Muslims explain the above in relation to the principle of "Maksum" [that is no one is immune (maksum) except the prophets, and therefore the imam will also be scrutinized by the law of the religion].


Thanks.

Answer 1

Apart from prophets, nobody's infallible.We are all prone to sins and peccadilloes. May be the fallen pastor believed in what he preached but he was just too weak to abide by the strict rules of the creed he was preaching. It can happen to any man of religion, irrespective of religion.

Answer 2

I don't know about Christianity, but in Islam the Imam is no more than a man.

An Imam leads the prayer, which means he should memories the Holy Quran, and have the ability to read it correctly.

An Imam SHOULD be a person who knows what is forbidden and keep away from it.

In Islam, an Imam has no privilege on anyone other than HELPING people reach the right road of the religion. Muslims don't give the Imam any special privileges as in Christianity.

In short, AN IMAM IS SIMPLY A MAN. If he is right the people will follow, if he is wrong people will tell him he is wrong.

Answer 3

There is none perfect and all fall short of the glory of God. Our leaders are not perfect but must live a life that is set apart from the world. There is clear instruction in the Bible regarding the requirements for spiritual leaders. If these requirements are not met, those leaders are to be accountable to their congregation and they are to step down until they are able to be free from the oppression of sin in their lives. No leader should stand alone above their congregation and no leader is above the law of God or beyond reproach. There should always be a group of accountability, several leaders withing the church under the head pastor that the pastor is accountable to and that are accountable to each other. If it is recognized that one is walking in sin and outside of what God 's standards are for leadership, then that person is to be confronted- he is to confess, repent and seek counsel- If he is not receiving correction then he is to be removed from the office of authority until he is repentant AND delivered from the sin he is walking in.
Spiritual leaders are never above accountablility- as a matter of fact they are held more accountable for the way they live, for what they teach and preach and for the counsel they give, public or private.

Answer 4

Geeze! its been going on since time began, there are corrupt ministers etc in all religions who don't practice what they preach. Isn't there an old saying the mind is strong but the flesh is weak?

Answer 5

No guy it is imposible for all to agree. coz no person knows who or what God is. plz do not evaluate me an atheist yet i don't persist with any cultor sect. i became into born a HINDU and married a Catholic. She attends her church and that i accompany her although i'm not A CHRISTIAN. i persist with my very own hindu ideals in my every day existence yet she does not. i'm extra dominating and he or she continually OBEYS me yet I on no account asked her to alter her faith neither she asked me. coz we admire each and every others faiths. yet our young babies be attentive to a minimum of one concern that God is barely a faith a concept which tells you that some one is often there and gazing them. do what you sense is sweet is what they have learnt and the two one human beings study from them and get our braveness in not undemanding circumstances as quickly as we see their faces. as quickly as we are approximately to lose wish merely then that feeling tells us approximately His presence which provides us the help could be out of your pals or spouse or childrens and that individual is the God for whom we get waiting to conflict lower back.

Answer 6

yes no one is ma'sum except prophets. and in my opinion this man was a hypocrite.
if he chooses to do something like ministry and gives Anti-gay speeches while he is gay, then he is a liar and a cheater.
he not only deceived himself but all those who followed and trusted him.
i have no problem with homosexuals but i believe if you choose to be one at least dont hide it and condemn it at the same time.

Answer 7

I feel no one is accountable to me except my children, if I ever have any which I pray I do.

Men are accountable only to God.

Those are my feelings on the matter.....good question!

Thanks

Answer 8

They are fallible, sinful, and should be accountable for it. We should stop putting them on a pedestal, they are just men.

Answer 9

was Muhammad accountable after his encounter with Zaynab?

Answer 10

God is the judge.