Upholding the Teachings of Religious Leaders Instead of God’s Teachings
[9:31] They have set up their religious leaders and scholars as lords,* instead of GOD. Others deified the Messiah, son of Mary. They were all commanded to worship only one god. There is no god except He. Be He glorified, high above having any partners.
*9:31 If you consult the “Muslim scholars” about worshiping God alone, and upholding the word of God alone, as taught in this proven scripture, they will advise you against it. If you consult the Pope about the identity of Jesus, he will advise you to uphold a trinity. If you obey the “Muslim scholars” whose advice is contrary to God’s teachings, or if you take the Pope’s advice instead of God’s, you have set up these religious leaders as gods instead of God.
[9:32] They want to put out GOD’s light with their mouths, but GOD insists upon perfecting His light, in spite of the disbelievers.
An example of following religious teachers rather than God’s teachings is how Muslims changed the Sacred Months.
Most religious teachers look for power not truth
Might also be due to loss aversion. They are so bought into the lies that once they find out the truth they can’t go against everything they believed for so long.
What is loss aversion?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVNGJpoSuk8
Quran Talk Blog 