Brian,
I think that you hit the nail on the head: the problem is power. Power has the potential to corrupt almost anyone. Because religion can be manipulated to control people, there is real potential for power hungry individuals to abuse trust.
The corrupting influence of power is always worth exploring in a fantasy setting. Tolkien was the master of this. Gandalf, a truly virtuous soul, knew that the power offered by the Precious could turn even himself into a force for evil.
I think that you hit the nail on the head: the problem is power. Power has the potential to corrupt almost anyone. Because religion can be manipulated to control people, there is real potential for power hungry individuals to abuse trust.
The corrupting influence of power is always worth exploring in a fantasy setting. Tolkien was the master of this. Gandalf, a truly virtuous soul, knew that the power offered by the Precious could turn even himself into a force for evil.