For Zoroastrian laypersons, the distinction between the two groups was at best theoretical and by the 10th century, the term herbad had lost most associations of scholarship and eventually came to refer to priests that had no theological authority.

Is a network the newest claimant to theological authority?

The Church has traditionally classed capital punishment as a form of "lawful slaying", a view defended by theological authorities such as Thomas Aquinas.

The fact that the problem is unsettled by them does not mean that a theological authority can be resorted to.

In his letter Azari-Qomi proposed that the velayat-e faqhi should be split into two different realms of theological authority and political authority.

But the absence of a single theological authority also allows even the most radical clerics to claim authority, while encouraging others to compete for followers, patrons and even survival.

Some nations do not use juries at all, or rely on theological or military authorities to issue verdicts.

The main theological authorities of Babai were Theodore of Mopsuestia and Diodorus of Tarsus.

They also censor and confiscate works that might challenge the Rahbar's theological and jurisprudential authority, notably those works authored by senior ayatollahs who oppose the velayate faqih or particular policies of the regime.

Some theological authorities believe that the "forbidden fruit" that was eaten in the Garden of Eden, which isn't specified in the Bible, is now believed, contrary to popular belief, to be a banana, not an apple.