Heh. HP fandom's not as bad as some. I guess it depends on the source material, even though what you've said applies as a human trait in general - for example, if there were some book in which the protagonist was constantly fighting off The Dark Lord of Flamewars, its fandom might be composed of more peaceable folks (or, maybe you'd get subversive Flamewar apologists...hee.). I think the size has something to do with it as well.

other noble example we are all called to emulate and respect as the final authority

And it's funny, because even if, say, JKR came out and said something directly, huge masses of fans would simply start denouncing authorial intent and saying that all interpretations of canon are valid. :)