Many protestant pastors claim to be "called by God." They claim the authoirty to preach, teach and heal in his name. The Roman Catholic & Orthodox Churches ordain their priests by authority from their Bishops in an unbroken line of authority from the Apostles, and a direct link to Savior. I have know many protestant pastors who believe (and in some cases I believe them) that they have been ordained of God with discernemnt and other gifts. Roman Catholic Bishops receive the Spirit of Governance - I believe Episcopalians also believe in that authority and power/gift. (any Episcopalians on these threads?)
It seems that some Freepers have a hangup with Mormonism that dominates all their religious commentary and blinds them to Left's attack on Christianity as a whole, andon their attack on the Christian Right. And when I say the Christian Right, I mean the political block within the nation that votes in large part based on Christian social values and whether you want to call Mormons Christians or not, they are a reliable block of the Christian Right.
So your Post #8 seems to me should apply to Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox, and any Protestant minister who claims a divine authority or gift (even - Yikes - Joel Osteen & Rick Warren!!) You make the point quite profoundly yourself "Christians recognize the sinful nature inherent in men and that ALL men are have fallen. "
You are correct, some pastors THINK they have special powers. Mormonism TEACHES that their Priesthood HAS special God ordained power BECAUSE they are Mormon. Mormonism teaches that the righteous LDS Priesthood leaders can and will become gods of their own universes. It is not the same thing at all.
Some nominal Freeper Christians think they are somehow helping the cause of conservatism by blurring the lines between heresy and Christianity. It is a fallacy born in Hell.