That is what invariably happens in hierarchical structures, and more so in 'steep-sided' ones. Human nature will always transcend artificial ideals, and corruption would seem to be unavoidable. However, historically it's those structures and ideals (not necessarily religious ones) that have given rise to (probably) all human achievement, (or at least what most humans perceive as achievement, that being the only reference we have) as well as our worst atrocities. To go a step further (as a qualified lunatic) I would propose that 'good' and 'evil' are inseparable consequences of one another, however they are brought about.