I wonder why the term "religious leaders" causes such a bad reaction for you. Do you feel it is impossible for a person of faith to be a "leader"? How do you define "leader"?
----------------------
Jesus is the only leader.
I think most people just don't understand that, therefor we have religious wars.
And information wars.
Religious leaders as you speak of twist things to segregate groups and create division amongst the people who believe in the words of the same book.
Jesus said;
Matthew23:8
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, (even) Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, (even) Christ.
The word (even) was added into those verses, and should not be there.
So, there ya have it Sis
Multiple leaders cause problems because they compete at the expense of the people, instead of having integrity in the book they believe in.
Then it becomes a power struggle, and then it becomes war.
Bro Tim