The cleric spell list in particular has a lot of spells that are so good you are kind of an idiot if you don't take them. Bless, some fo the healing spells, Spiritual Weapon/Guardians etc. This may vary by domain I would not take a few of them as a light cleric for example.
I have heard some players are struggling with Druids as well as as you either go wildshaped but the others are kind of half way between a cleric and wizard in terms of healing and blasting. Outside of the Moon Druid the Druid is never really going to be any good in a fight but every cleric can cast spiritual guardians although the Druid is better at range (except some domains).
I don't know about idiotic, but there are definitely some spells on the Cleric list that will be more universally useful than many others; you identified the classics.
Mind you, it's not unique to the cleric: wizards with Shield, Misty Step, Fireball, Banishment, etc. Just part of the game.