Perhaps it isn't brain damage, but the reflection of the sense of self worth? I mean, if someone isn't seeing their own life amounting to much, that may then extend to everyone else around them. Moreover, if one considers the fact that one of the fundamentals in respective religion is the sense of being a worthless sinner in the eyes of God; who is pretty much a ruthless despot...
But all of that, of course, is just my speculation, based largely on some things I have myself observed in parts of society where doctrines, dogmas and a general shortage of available information prevail.

Thanks for mentioning Glitch. I however don't know which one of the three different series you mean. And I can return the favor if you're interested - Salem series from a few years ago. There's a good part of that hypocrisy and survival involved that I have mentioned earlier.