Why are a significant number of Christians so hung up on power?

Question

I’ve seen this time and time again when they are talking about the religious practices of others they bring up this concept of power.

Example: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070601145146AApSAhB&r=w#QcMuXDC5WGbhxkQWVN65w_lNo6JR_XyOwdvkeFy4b0TJTba6Y6h0

I’ve hung out with Satanists and Neo-Pagans for over 20 years. Those who are interested in personal power, a very, very small minority, tend to be pretty screwed up, to be frank. But hey, to each his own, eh?

What is with this preoccupation that so many Christians have with power?

Avatar: I'm a happy guy.

Answer 1

Perhaps the more power they perceive themselves having the more confident they feel their position in their religion is.

It seems to be a very unnatural way to go about things as many others I know who take more natural paths have less structure to their beliefs and seem more secure in them.

Answer 2

I would disagree that there are a large group of Christians that are preoccupied with power. You will have groups in any and every religion who seek power for one reason or another. I do not see that this question you provided as an example show that the asker is necessarily preoccupied with power. Personally I ask questions that come up in my personal life not necessarily because I am preoccupied with the subject. As for Christianity it revolves completely around humility and serving others. Those who truly want power and blessing must actually place themselves lowest and be a servant to all. Kind of an oxymoron. Jesus squeezed every commandment from the old testament into two. As Christians we are to first and foremost place God first in our lives. Second we are to love our neighbors(basically everyone who is human) as ourselves. It is hard to do that while seeking power only for yourselves.

Answer 3

No desire for power - I actually try to avoid being in any position of authority.

I think you'll find a similar demographic of power seekers across all religious beliefs. However, in Christian teaching is the concept of receiving power (strength) from the Holy Spirit.

Answer 4

This is an interesting phenomenom. People who think that the majority of a group 'is' a certain way -- when in reality, it is the vocal majority, nor the actual majority. You only hear about christians (or people who call themselves that) when they are doing something outrageous like condemning gay people or being prejudiced. The majority of Christians are not at all like that. They are normal people with normal jobs and normal lives.

Essentially, you only hear about the wacky Christians. These are not the majority or even a significant number of Christians.

Answer 5

howdy neighbor.as we all know.we as people dont have any power.we as people want to feel the power of the holy ghost.in prayer,in church,anything with jesus.hes the only one with the real power.we as humans just want to feel the power.be in control.always looking for a higher power.know what i mean.

Answer 6

'Manifest Destiny' is still alive and strong today, just as it was when the Europeans began to infiltrate North America.

Answer 7

If you have no problem with power then go live in a dictatorship..

Answer 8

if they were truly confident in their beliefs they would not have to flex their power

Answer 9

I like your avatar.

Answer 10

touche' and well said my friend. Thank you!