Authority Figures, Arbitrators, and Christianity

[Fool]

why would a person believe that a head of a physical group of people, a church, would be any more an authority figure on christ than themselves.


if god isn't a respecter of persons and love covers all sins, how is a mega preacher anymore of an authority than the lowly parishioner on those ideas? christs plays favorites?


doesn't every loving parent raise their child to be self-sufficient and capable of being the director/captain of their own lives? doesn't every loving parent want a direct relationship with their child and not an arbitrator?


is it a way to scam people?

 

[dybmh]

why would a person believe that a head of a physical group of people, a church, would be any more an authority figure on christ than themselves.

I respect your authority on topics where you have knowledge and expertise. Isn't it possible for the head of a group of people to deserve the same respect and authority if they have knowledge and expertise?

if god isn't a respecter of persons and love covers all sins, how is mega preacher anymore of an authority than the lowly parishoner on those ideas?

It depends on what you mean by lowly. There's nothing preventing both the mega preacher and the lowly parishoner from receiving divine guidance. I think the assumption is that the mega preacher has had more experience, more contact with the divine. But that certainly doesn't have to be true.

doesn't every loving parent raise their child to be self-sufficient and capable of being the captain of their lives? doesn't every loving parent want a direct relationship with their child and not an arbitrator?

yes, agreed. But how does a preacher's authority automatically prevent the direct relationship?

is it a way to scam people?

Maybe. I think more often the preacher enjoys being the authority, enjoys being seen as more connected to holiness. And this is the motivation rather than a scam.

 

[Sirona]

I don't quite understand what you mean by arbitrators. What first came to my mind were intercessors or mediators. These also may have advantages. Having an intercessor takes away some of the responsibility or worry connected to religion. Or the god could be portrayed as wrathful or inaccessible, too distant. An intermediary is usually more human or human-like than an inaccessible god.
Humans have always organized themselves in hierarchies, so it is no wonder that there are hierarchical structures in the realm of religions as well.

 

[Fool]

I respect your authority on topics where you have knowledge and expertise. Isn't it possible for the head of a group of people to deserve the same respect and authority if they have knowledge and expertise?

my job isn't to enslave or gain monetary value from sharing what was shared with me. a teacher shares what he/she knows so that the student can become his/her equal. a student can never be above his/her teacher, it's enough that she/he should become like them.

It depends on what you mean by lowly. There's nothing preventing both the mega preacher and the lowly parishoner from receiving divine guidance. I think the assumption is that the mega preacher has had more experience, more contact with the divine. But that certainly doesn't have to be true.

the biggest difference is power between the two. sharing doesn't enslave. most preachers aren't interested in enlightening other's as self. jesus called his disciples friend at the end. Because they knew everything he did. he made them equals. not subordinates

yes, agreed. But how does a preacher's authority automatically prevent the direct relationship?

if it's creating a codependency that one or the other doesn't overcome.

Maybe. I think more often the preacher enjoys being the authority, enjoys being seen as more connected to holiness. And this is the motivation rather than a scam.

enjoys being seen as more holy can become a problem. it's more about equality and making all things equal. neither to the left or the right but the middle is where the balance should read.


diverse weights and measure are an abomination to the lord

 

[Fool]

I don't quite understand what you mean by arbitrators. What first came to my mind were intercessors or mediators. These also may have advantages. Having an intercessor takes away some of the responsibility or worry connected to religion. Or the god could be portrayed as wrathful or inaccessible, too distant. An intermediary is usually more human or human-like than an inaccessible god.
Humans have always organized themselves in hierarchies, so it is no wonder that there are hierarchical structures in the realm of religions as well.

exactly someone has placed themselves ibetween the lover and the beloved. so then oneness, the union can never happen until the 3rd wheel is removed.