Yes. Verification of facts is not always easy. That's why, for practical reasons, we defer on many things to people we trust (or are intimidated into "trusting"

Yes. Verification of facts is not always easy. That's why, for practical reasons, we defer on many things to people we trust (or are intimidated into "trusting") as authorities, unless we have a reason not to. And reason is like a muscle. You must practice it, and you must not only practice it, but also practice self-discipline. A practiced intellect backed by vice will only be better at rationalizing bad things.