[nickd2001]

As a Christian I'd agree that religious leaders and congregations can often be disappointing in our behaviour, given what rules of life we claim to follow. There are also people of no faith at all who go to church and basically pretend to be Christian for other purposes such as making business contacts. But that's the point isn't it? We're flawed human beings, capable of good and of bad, and Jesus called us to follow him to sort ourselves out , with his help. When you go to a church most people (including the clergy!) are some way along the journey to being sufficiently influenced by God to be able to be capable of more good and less bad. And even people far along the journey have their "off days". What the OP's Q shouts to me is lack of community and lack of a place to find friends. Churches are far from perfect but they can be a place to find community and friendship, flawed though it is, that's sorely lacking elsewhere due to people always being too busy / insular / living in car-centric neighbourhoods etc which seems a particular problem in N America. My 2p anyway, disagreements welcome :)