[James C. Bennett]

It must have been abused at some point of time. Hereditary priesthood is not unique to the Hindus, actually.

For example:

Cohen

Jewish priest
- also spelt kohen (Hebrew: “priest”), plural cohanim, or cohens

Jewish priest, one who is a descendant of Zadok, founder of the priesthood of Jerusalem when the First Temple was built by Solomon (10th century bc) and through Zadok related to Aaron, the first Jewish priest, who was appointed to that office by his younger brother, Moses. Though laymen such as Gideon, David, and Solomon offered sacrifice as God commanded, the Hebrew priesthood was hereditary in biblical times and was transmitted exclusively to male descendants of Aaron of the tribe of Levi.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/124525/cohen

[Steelfish]

Yes- but casteism is not unlike the badge of slavery. Lineage based on caste is something wholly different than from a “priestly” class open to all.