How does the applicability of this dictation change for a low-control religion (Non-denominational Christianity, Universalism/Unitarianism, Buddhism, Paganism) as opposed to a high-control religion (JW, SDA, LDS, Islam, Krishna, Catholicism)?
2007-07-10 10:17:07 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The premise of this so-called question is false.
The Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses is certainly *NOT* a "high-control" religion.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20000622/
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_03.htm
2007-07-14 19:32:03 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The people should not be afraid of the church or its leaders. Ronald Enroth has written a book called "churches that abuse" and it tells how some churches can abuse and how to recover from this if it happens to you.
The applicability of the statement changes with the "low control churches". It is more applicable for them than the high control churches.
In high control churches like the JW's, SDA and LDS, there is much more fear in the members of the church. The church is one that dispenses salvation to these people - not Jesus Christ as the historical Christian church teaches.
2007-07-10 21:15:23 · answer #2 · answered by Buzz s 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In a religion that has no damnation in the afterlife to scare people into compliance. In a religion that lacks a central governing body. In a religion where your relationship with the Divine is what you make of it. The only fears are those of your own making. The "church" doesn't really exist in this kind of setting, it's merely a collection of like minded people. No one is controlling anyone else, no one is trying to scare anyone else.
Fear becomes important only to the individual and their own progress in a situation like the one you describe.
At least that's my opinion.
Blessed Be!
2007-07-11 03:03:40 · answer #3 · answered by farmacistdmc 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The church was made for sinners, not for God. There is good and evil in all churches. The more powerful the church the more the church is scrutinized but it is the same in all churches right on down to the cults that commit mass suicide.
2007-07-18 16:15:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are afraid of your Church, or your Church is afraid of you, then something has gone completely wrong. Are you doing anything to scare them? Is your church doing something it shouldn't that scares you?
The true church of Christ, the Catholic Church is the institution of peace on love on the planet. There have been bad people but they get rooted out. God is not dumb.
2007-07-17 15:10:53 · answer #5 · answered by hossteacher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think people should love their churches and churches should love their people. We are all on the same team. We should be there to support one another. Not be fearful.
2007-07-17 01:29:14 · answer #6 · answered by monte54que 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The diction, in my view, doesn't reflect the reality of church life. Churches, like any other institution, develop in response to people. In fact, churches are people. It would be difficult to see why people would be afraid of themselves.
2007-07-10 17:24:08 · answer #7 · answered by Jackie L 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Churches are instruments for social control; so awe and respect, if not actual fear, are required.
2007-07-18 11:07:40 · answer #8 · answered by galyamike 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why would they should be afraid of a building. how can a building be afraid of the people it is the people that make the church.
2007-07-18 16:53:35 · answer #9 · answered by sharon g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither. The authority of clerics should be exercised in the name of love and service, and the laity's obedience should be exercised in the name of love of Jesus. Fear is only a factor when we've rebelled against God.
2007-07-10 17:22:21 · answer #10 · answered by delsydebothom 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋