Of course it is. I keep saying that the root of the evil of "conservative" politics is religion.

Someone who is raised, indoctrinated, groomed shall we say, from birth, to listen to what the loud man behind the pulpit says no matter what, to never question that loud, charismatic authority, even when they can see absolutely no evidence of the truthfulness of his words...

Well, a pulpit is basically a fancified podium, isn't it?