More Words, Deeper Hole

That is a pattern of social movements generally--the Founder is all het up about something and so are his earliest early adopters, the Activists. But the success or failure of the movement generally rests on the shoulders of the second generation of leaders, who have to deal with any looming disillusionment and re-interpret the Founder's wisdom to something viable. That usually means pulling the movement more toward the center.

Then you get to have your "Back to Purity" sects in reaction, lather, rinse, repeat.

The Mormons make an excellent example of the pattern and now I am wondering if there are any Mormon stories that fit your models.

MAO