When we say authority, we mean it as a power to take the lead or to rule over the others. But usually we are being misled by this kind of perspective. Sometimes, we define authority as our way to manipulate the life of others. We are using our authority to promote comfort on our part and never minding others even if they will suffer out of it. We are using also our authority to bribe others just to have whatever we want from them, but if they won’t heed our wish, we could use our authority to scare them up or to threat their lives so that they will have no choice but to follow our will. But in the other sense, “Authority” is a gift given to us. It is supposed to be an opportunity for us to promote goodness not only for our own selves but for others as well. Our authority comes from the others; it doesn’t originate from or within us, because they believe in our capacity and in our will to promote peace and order in our society. That’s why authority or power should be used wisely and not in an abusive manner. It is for good; therefore it must bear and spread goodness to all. But if we are not aware of this and when we are just using our authority not based on its exact purpose, there is a great possibility that it could lead us to the wrong track. It can make us a “MONSTER” that can destroy everything.
Nietzsche’s critique to religion would tell us that our faith or religion can manipulate our perspective in life. So to say, it can control us. As we all know that the church is one of the most powerful organizations in the whole world, because it speaks about faith and relationship of the people to their God whom they considered as the main author of all the seen and unseen things of this world. God sent forth his disciples throughout the world to preach his good news and to build His church so that every evangelized people can praise Him and in order for them also to be guided by His word so that they could attain fruitful life here on earth and everlasting life in heaven. These disciples of God also blessed other disciples by giving them authority to continue what they have started as the church for the people of God. And they were called priests. A priest is a man who holds the place of God. He is a man who is invested with all the powers of God. That’s why the leaders of the church are given the authority to lead the people of God. They are expected to be the promoters of peace and love in the society. It is because a priest is really expected by the people to be like God. That’s why they are being respected and people pay homage to them. Every decision they made is usually respected and followed by the people.
But sometimes, this authority or power of theirs is also abused by themselves. They are using their power or even the name of God to bribe people or to scare them when they don’t follow instructions that are given by the church. They don’t sometimes listen to the plea or suggestions of other people, because they believe to themselves that they are persons whom God has chosen to be His own. That’s why they also believe that they are righteous and every decision they make is always correct and no one should question them because they made people to believe that it is the spirit of God that is working on them that’s why they won’t get wrong in doing things, because God made no mistakes at all. This kind of perspective of our priests serves as a veil that hinders them to see the reality. They make it also as their blanket to cover up all their lapses so that the people won’t notice them and they can remain their good image before the people. And if ever people will insist to question their deeds, they will then use God to scare them up and telling them that they will be punished by God because they are complaining and against His will. But this is not actually the authority that God has given to his people or what He wants them to practice, because as what God had said “I have come not to be served but to serve”. God gave his people the authority not for dominion but for serving His people. That’s why I’m pity to those leaders of the church who are using their authority or even the church herself just to attain earthly things. For they not only committing sins before the people but also to God.
As a seminarian, aiming to be a good priest someday (if God wills it), I consider Nietzsche’s critique to religion very helpful to me and in my future ministry, because it serves as a great reminder on how to live our religion correctly which is patterned to the will of God so that it can truly lead the people going to the right track of what their faith has promised to them; that God will save them and will grant them fruitful life in His kingdom.
Nietzsche’s critique to religion would tell us that our faith or religion can manipulate our perspective in life. So to say, it can control us. As we all know that the church is one of the most powerful organizations in the whole world, because it speaks about faith and relationship of the people to their God whom they considered as the main author of all the seen and unseen things of this world. God sent forth his disciples throughout the world to preach his good news and to build His church so that every evangelized people can praise Him and in order for them also to be guided by His word so that they could attain fruitful life here on earth and everlasting life in heaven. These disciples of God also blessed other disciples by giving them authority to continue what they have started as the church for the people of God. And they were called priests. A priest is a man who holds the place of God. He is a man who is invested with all the powers of God. That’s why the leaders of the church are given the authority to lead the people of God. They are expected to be the promoters of peace and love in the society. It is because a priest is really expected by the people to be like God. That’s why they are being respected and people pay homage to them. Every decision they made is usually respected and followed by the people.
But sometimes, this authority or power of theirs is also abused by themselves. They are using their power or even the name of God to bribe people or to scare them when they don’t follow instructions that are given by the church. They don’t sometimes listen to the plea or suggestions of other people, because they believe to themselves that they are persons whom God has chosen to be His own. That’s why they also believe that they are righteous and every decision they make is always correct and no one should question them because they made people to believe that it is the spirit of God that is working on them that’s why they won’t get wrong in doing things, because God made no mistakes at all. This kind of perspective of our priests serves as a veil that hinders them to see the reality. They make it also as their blanket to cover up all their lapses so that the people won’t notice them and they can remain their good image before the people. And if ever people will insist to question their deeds, they will then use God to scare them up and telling them that they will be punished by God because they are complaining and against His will. But this is not actually the authority that God has given to his people or what He wants them to practice, because as what God had said “I have come not to be served but to serve”. God gave his people the authority not for dominion but for serving His people. That’s why I’m pity to those leaders of the church who are using their authority or even the church herself just to attain earthly things. For they not only committing sins before the people but also to God.
As a seminarian, aiming to be a good priest someday (if God wills it), I consider Nietzsche’s critique to religion very helpful to me and in my future ministry, because it serves as a great reminder on how to live our religion correctly which is patterned to the will of God so that it can truly lead the people going to the right track of what their faith has promised to them; that God will save them and will grant them fruitful life in His kingdom.
RSS Feed