I have to admit I never thought about it from that perspective but that makes sense to me. I guess it is a matter of perspective. Is it the Gods themselves which encourage the split or the people (or maybe both)?
I would like to think that there is a reciprocity to the relationship... that not only do they guide their people, but also they may choose to follow, depending on the situation and the circumstance. People have complete free will, and so that means that they make their own choices - and the gods may influence that, but also may simply honor that at times.