Final answer:
Many people believed that the protocols are authentic due to psychological phenomena, the selection of sacred texts by religious leaders, and alternative explanations rooted in psychology and sociology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many people believed that these protocols are authentic due to several factors. Firstly, there is a psychological phenomenon where people who repeat tales tend to exaggerate or distort what actually occurred, leading to a belief in events being directed by a deity or having some symbolic meaning. Secondly, some sacred texts were chosen by religious leaders, excluding certain texts and including others, which raised doubts about their authenticity. Finally, the use of sacred texts as proof of their sacred source may not be convincing to non-believers who have alternative explanations rooted in psychology and sociology.