Pharises where keepers of the 'LAW', the old testament ways of living, temple worship and so forth. Since Christ came and fullfiled the law, and we are now in an age of Grace.... then a modern religious leader for the most part doesn't keep the old testament laws of sacrificing bulls, pouring out oils, letting people come and sacrifice their sheep on the alters etc etc. But if he's trying to get you to adhere to an O.T. law like tithing which is also abolished, he's probably just stuck in a larger church doctrine that has clouded his thinking in this area. Doesn't mean he isn't saved, or believe in God. In Jesus' days, the Pharisee's were plotting to kill him, flogged people, judged them and worse. Today, you go to jail for those things. Thankfully, they aren't that similar at all if they're christian leaders. However, if they are leaders in a Cult organization, they have doctrinal chains around themselves that hold them back from seeing the True Christ - just as the Pharisees did. They too are blind. They're all similar in that they had their own agenda's, positions of power they want to protect, denied the true Christ when presented with Him, and made conscious decisions to turn away from the way, the truth, and - eternal life.

Yes. For example in Ch. 6 v 5 - 7 Jesus spoke of the Pharisees as likeing the glory and adoration of men, making long prayers repeating them over and over again. In Ch. 15, they adhere to traditions, which still happens today. Jesus called them Blind Guides, because they cannot see the truth and do not teach the truth. Chapter 7 v 17 onwards refers to the Good Fruit. What religion today produces good fruit? V 21 says "Not everyone saying to me Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of the heavens but the one doing the will of my father who is in the heavens will. Many will sya to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and expel demons in your name and perform many powerful works in your name? And yet then I will confess to them, I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness." This describes the religious leaders of today. They don't practice what they preach.

Throughout the history of the Bible, Old and New, there are WARNINGS , of False Prophets. That is why we, as individuals have to read and study the WORD ourselves so that we can be aware. Aware of the POWER SEEKERS, the ones who are just filling up THEIR pockets, teaching wrong, etc. Unfortunately, people rely on ministers, fathers, rabbis, instead of THEIR KNOWING THE BIBLE...pharisees were hypocrites, jewish high priests were hypocrites, and the world is fuul of them, especially today. God will deal with them , when the time comes in the same manner that he deals with the BEAST, Satan and his Demons. So, they will be dealt with differently than the layman.