Is it shirk to follow a marja?

[qqqqqlena1]

Is it shirk to follow what a marja says as in a way you are almost blindly following what they say without them giving any daleel (proof) of what they say.

[Abu_Zahra]

No, referring to an expert in fiqh for the matters which are not already known isn't shirk. Shirk is to associate someone with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). 

[Guest Psychological Warfare]

fyi

Quote

Following a Mujtahid

1. It is necessary for a Muslim to believe in the fundamentals of faith on the basis of proof and he cannot follow anyone in this respect i.e. he cannot accept he word of another with regard to the fundamentals without demanding proof. However, in order to act on Islamic code (except in those matters which are considered by all to be indisputable e.g. the obligatory nature of the five daily prayers, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan etc.) a person must adopt one of the following methods:

    i) The man concerned should be a Mujtahid (jurist)1 himself and should know the Articles of Acts on the basis of Ijtihad2 and reason (i.e. he should be a man of such high learning and scholarship that he can solve problems from his study of the Qur’an and Hadith).

    ii) If he is not a jurist himself, he should follow a jurist i.e. he should act according to the judgment (fatwa) of the jurist without demanding proof.

    iii) If he is neither a jurist nor a follower (muqallid) he should act after taking such precaution that he should become sure of his having performed his religious duty. For example, if some jurists consider an act to be unlawful and some others say that it is not unlawful, he should not perform that act and in case some jurists consider an act to be obligatory (wajib) and others consider it to be recommended (mustahab) he should perform it. Hence it is obligatory for those persons who are not jurists and cannot also take precautionary measures (ihtiyat) to follow a jurist.3

If you read the above, it gives you more details to understand as a layman. Ponder over the entire text carefully. 

You are not taking Rulings in "Fundamentals of Faith" - Tawheed, Divine Justice, Prophethood, Imamate and Day of Judgement.  You are suppose to know these yourself, so you will study and Yes you may refer to the "Scholars" which might include the Jurists/Mujtahids/Marja as a "Reference " - However, you will need to be convinced based on the arguments and you will eventually develop your own understanding. 

In Islamic acts- "Except"  for matters which are Indisputable by ALL Scholars. You can still learns and be a person who can deduce the secondary  laws yourself, or follow a Scholars who can or do Ihtiyat. 

There is no blind following here at all- You have the option to deduce the secondary laws yourself, if can't what choice do you have ? Refer to an expert . 

Proofs for rulings are very complicated, they involve various factors, various sciences are involved. Plus these are secondary issues, I would not stress and make Religion much complicated. Be a expert or follow one of review the decision of a group of them. 

If you were to follow anyone who has a different ruling , in Laws which are clear and indisputable by ALL in " normal conditions" you have just made that person the god . Under special circumstances you may follow them to preserve life or avoid danger to you or your family or in war etc. These are very special circumstances. 

This issue of shirk is just a deflection. Ignore it.