title: The birth and death of religious leaders.
abstract: The phenomenon of religious leadership is a complex one. This article proposes that Ernest Becker's insight into the human tendency to deny death contributes to a better understanding of both the psychological and sociological dimensions of religious leadership. Specifically, it examines the role of transference in the leader-follower relationship and probes how this mechanism promotes the birth and demise of religious leaders. Some practical suggestions for healthy leader-follower relations are offered.
authors.affiliation: St. John's University, Staten Island, New York.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kenel