Can too much respect be bad?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Do you think that there is such a thing as too much respect and/ or is it a bad thing to respect someone too much?

To me it seems that it is a bad thing and the best example are religious leaders or clergy. It seems that religious people respect them too much that they get away with taking their money, living in huge mansions and castles while saying that they are humble and even having sex with their kids.

So it seems it's not good to respect someone too much, to the point that you don't ever question that person, never look at that person critically.

Or maybe something else is going on?

I do not think there is such a thing as too much respect. It is a bad thing to respect someone so much that it overrides your beliefs, morality and rationality.
A. Respect can only be given, not taken, therefore it's by nature always earned. Either by someone's unmerited generosity of the object receiving the gratitude or from the grantor after an overall view of the subjects actions.
B. The object may not be able to handle or deserve respect.
C. The grantor's definition of what "respecting someone" means could also be flawed. If I respect some one so much that I'm willing to break my moral code then it's the wrong definition of respect.

Religious leaders have abused their authority and respect given, and the public (their congregations and fellows) have overlooked mis-steps and offences egregiously for a while. It's not specific to the religious hierarchy though. That is a problem in almost all hierarchies with people just accepting and not standing for what they believe is right and not confronting evil where it is. I think part of that bystander effect is due to how our brains are wired to seek equanimity and calm physiologically. Probably play a big part how we're nurtured as well. I think better transparent communication and discussion of the definitions in the now help move society forward though.

I agree.  I don't think the issue is too much respect, but misdirected respect.

Good to read you again, tack. 

Boru