Comments on: “Does Religious Authority Override Secular Authority?” http://kalindarosestevenson.com/ImpoliteTopics/main/religious-authority-secular-authority_115 Religion, Politics, And The Bible ... For Seekers Mon, 06 Dec 2010 23:19:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Politics In Church: Challenging The IRS By Endorsing Candidates | IMPOLITE TOPICS http://kalindarosestevenson.com/ImpoliteTopics/main/religious-authority-secular-authority_115/comment-page-1#comment-1052 Politics In Church: Challenging The IRS By Endorsing Candidates | IMPOLITE TOPICS Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:53:43 +0000 http://kalindarosestevenson.com/ImpoliteTopics/?p=115#comment-1052 [...] In an earlier post I asked this question. ”What is the difference between legal and illegal actions by religious organizations with tax-exempt status?” I quoted several sections of the IRS Tax Guide. One paragraph makes clear what Pastor Drake was protesting.  Does Religious Authority Override Secular Authority? [...] [...] In an earlier post I asked this question. ”What is the difference between legal and illegal actions by religious organizations with tax-exempt status?” I quoted several sections of the IRS Tax Guide. One paragraph makes clear what Pastor Drake was protesting.  Does Religious Authority Override Secular Authority? [...]

]]> By: Politics In Church: Challenging The IRS By Endorsing Candidates | IMPOLITE TOPICS http://kalindarosestevenson.com/ImpoliteTopics/main/religious-authority-secular-authority_115/comment-page-1#comment-126 Politics In Church: Challenging The IRS By Endorsing Candidates | IMPOLITE TOPICS Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:32:49 +0000 http://kalindarosestevenson.com/ImpoliteTopics/?p=115#comment-126 [...] sections of the IRS Tax Guide. One paragraph makes clear what Pastor Drake was protesting.  Does Religious Authority Override Secular Authority? Individual Activity by Religious [...] [...] sections of the IRS Tax Guide. One paragraph makes clear what Pastor Drake was protesting.  Does Religious Authority Override Secular Authority? Individual Activity by Religious [...]

]]> By: John Thomas http://kalindarosestevenson.com/ImpoliteTopics/main/religious-authority-secular-authority_115/comment-page-1#comment-33 John Thomas Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:28:50 +0000 http://kalindarosestevenson.com/ImpoliteTopics/?p=115#comment-33 I understand, on one level, how those who do not believe in a spiritual component in life might subscribe to the need for an externalized authority structure to prevent rampant chaos, but I'm confused by those who profess to believe in God believing that it is a given that they need an externalized authority (read: control) structure in their lives, such as the church or government. Christianity speaks of God being with us and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I have relatively little detailed knowledge of other religious traditions, but my understanding of them is that their traditions and scriptures consistently refer back to an internal guidance or compass put in place by their understanding of God (or whatever creates order in the universe). This being the case, and, in the case of Christianity, that Christ only had violent disagreement with those who had power (authority, legitimate or not, i.e. religious leaders and political leaders) over others (and something to lose by having that authority challenged), why do people seek to find, create, and bow down to externalized authority? Why don't they trust that God will lead them when they pray and that He will give them guidance and wisdom if they ask (James 1:5, The Bible)? I suspect that the fact that most people seem to want the cut-and-dry, I'm-not-responsible-because-those-in-authority-told-me-to-do-or-not-do-it servitude to an external authority structure means that they don't really believe what they profess to believe about God living on the inside of them. - John I understand, on one level, how those who do not believe in a spiritual component in life might subscribe to the need for an externalized authority structure to prevent rampant chaos, but I’m confused by those who profess to believe in God believing that it is a given that they need an externalized authority (read: control) structure in their lives, such as the church or government.

Christianity speaks of God being with us and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I have relatively little detailed knowledge of other religious traditions, but my understanding of them is that their traditions and scriptures consistently refer back to an internal guidance or compass put in place by their understanding of God (or whatever creates order in the universe). This being the case, and, in the case of Christianity, that Christ only had violent disagreement with those who had power (authority, legitimate or not, i.e. religious leaders and political leaders) over others (and something to lose by having that authority challenged), why do people seek to find, create, and bow down to externalized authority? Why don’t they trust that God will lead them when they pray and that He will give them guidance and wisdom if they ask (James 1:5, The Bible)?

I suspect that the fact that most people seem to want the cut-and-dry, I’m-not-responsible-because-those-in-authority-told-me-to-do-or-not-do-it servitude to an external authority structure means that they don’t really believe what they profess to believe about God living on the inside of them.

- John

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