Powers and Authorities.

                            

The problem, as I see it, is that the powers and authorities which rule our world do not reflect the Nature or the Will of God.

These powers and authorities, which include most of the Churches, are hard-line right-wing conservatives.  They invoke harsh penalties to keep humanity in line.

Not only does this reflect a negative view of humanity but a negative view of God as well.

They have little faith in the benevolence of God.
And they certainly don't reflect the Love of God.

Humanity is wicked, they believe, and needs to be threatened to keep them from hell.

Many have suggested that this approach has nothing to do with God and everything to do with maintaining power.

This may well be the case.

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

But God is loving.

He treats us like His children.

He forgives us.

He always gives us another chance.

What could be further from our experience of power and authority in this world?

So when religious people talk to you about authority be sure you know which kind of authority they are talking about. 

For the ultimate authority is Love.


Photo Credit: http://geertdebrabander.be/ Flickr via Compfight cc