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Charisma is by definition a rare quality or power attributed to those persons who have demonstrated an exceptional ability for leadership and for securing the devotion of large numbers of people. A divinely inspired gift of power such as the ability to perform miracles.
How is that not more central to the core of the cleric than wisdom which is defined as an understanding of what is true, right, or lasting?
While charisma is central to disseminating the tenets of a faith, Wisdom is more important to "understanding" them in the first place.
Also, clerics aren't necessarily preachers. In the real world, I imagine there are a lot of religious figures who do nothing but study and write about their faith, e.g. most monks. They'd be high-Wis, Mid/Low-Cha clerics in-game.
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While charisma is central to disseminating the tenets of a faith, Wisdom is more important to "understanding" them in the first place.
Also, clerics aren't necessarily preachers. In the real world, I imagine there are a lot of religious figures who do nothing but study and write about their faith, e.g. most monks. They'd be high-Wis, Mid/Low-Cha clerics in-game.
I'd say most real-world evangelists are bards and not clerics at all. They are very charismatic, and sermons are a combination of oratory, song, and possibly dance. Also several of them don't seem to be that wise when they are not on stage...
Charisma is by definition a rare quality or power attributed to those persons who have demonstrated an exceptional ability for leadership and for securing the devotion of large numbers of people. A divinely inspired gift of power such as the ability to perform miracles.
How is that not more central to the core of the cleric than wisdom which is defined as an understanding of what is true, right, or lasting?
To start with, the definition you use of Wisdom is not the same definition as Pathfinder's use of the word:
Wisdom describes a character's willpower, common sense, awareness, and intuition.
Willpower, I would say, is the most predominate trait of the iconic high fantasy, spell-wielding priest or priestess. Wisdom, in game a world of magic, has more to do with magical defense than Charisma does, and fits the cleric for that reason as well.
Also, as the previous poster said, not all clerics are preachers. I imagine most would be more like members of ascetics order, who actually retreat from interaction with the world to study their religion and develop their faith (and, in this case, magic power as well).
They are very charismatic, and sermons are a combination of oratory, song, and possibly dance.
And bluff? :P