Expectations and Pedestals: What say you?

Question

"Well, enlightenment doesn't equal inhuman or above being human. That's where a lot of people find themselves disillusioned by clergymen(for example). Though I'm sure this also happens when we put anyone up on a pedestal. They put them on an "enlightened" pedestal above others and place very high expectations on them. Then, when the person fails to meet those expectations - we immediately think they were pretending to be something they weren't, when it fact it was our own expectations of them being above being human that were not met. Just some food for thought." - swordarkeereon

This is so astute, it deserved its own question.

I think this is even more true when we are depending upon someone to help us.

Indeed, I'd go further and say this is why so many wanted Jesus crucified: he entered Jerusalem on Passover Week but did -not- liberate them from the Romans and re-establish the Jewish kingdom.

Humans can be dangerous when their expectations are not met.

What say you?

Answer 1

Sometimes the expectations people place on others can be a huge burden. It's unfortunate and yet many times these people are aware of the position they are taking and the expectations that come with it. When people choose to take these positions they need to accept the good and bad that comes with that choice. They often want the love and respect it yields but become don't want to have to deal with the burdensome parts.
There are cases in which the person has in no way asked to be placed in such esteem and in these cases the burden truly is unfair, but in most cases the person has placed themselves in these positions. People in positions of power are held to higher expectations. People will say this is unfair, but they aren't complaining when it comes to the bonuses which are the reasons they chose the position in the first place.
Yes, humans can be very dangerous when they feel someone has not met their expectations. It is for this reason that people should be very careful before placing themselves in these positions. As I said, sometimes the person is placed in the position without having asked for this responsibility and in these cases it is unfair. These situations are the responsibility of the rest of us to beware placing unfair expectations on others.

Answer 2

LOL dangerous, really dangerous.

One of my Korean bible translated the part that describing Pharisees blamed Jesus ate and drank with the sinners as: "He is a party goer" (not exactly, but very very similar).
I absolutely loved this translation, but not everyone was happy.
Even it was blaming of Pharisees, people wanted more sacred image of Jesus.

My teacher is a great meditator, and he drinks coffee. One of his student assumed any enlightened person should drink "TEA," and when he find out about coffee, he was furious, saying "I cannot accept any coffee drinker as enlightened person!! Coffee drinker are not spiritual!!!!!!" then he left the class, never came back.

When you have expectations about God, you'll never meet your imaginary God since when he comes to you you'll yell at him "You must not be true, I expected something sacred, miraculous, absolutely great! You're a fake!!!!"
Then who's loss is it~?

Answer 3

Setting expectations is a road block toward enlightenment in the first place; both for those that set them and for those that do not cast away the expectations of others...........Its a constant journey, not a destination

Answer 4

I say that most priests I have met have exceeded my expectations of knowing more than most people, and also being more "enlightened" than most people, so I don't think the expectations are too high to begin with. The point is moot.

Answer 5

Aye, tis very true. I have seen it happen in a smaller scale as well, within romantic relationships. Not my own, but others have put their signifigant other on one only to be disappointed by their inevitable lack of perfection comming to the surface.

Answer 6

This is quite possible. I agree. Humans are pretty vicious when their expectations aren't met. I once had a woman stalk me and attempt to sabotage my career because I did not meet her expectations.

Answer 7

That's why people shouldn't believe in that people should make us happy. Trusting that people can, and might make us happy, will result in disappointments.
The only true person that ever deserved to have a pedistall is Jesus! Start there first and maybe perhaps all the rest of this will make sense to you more!!

Answer 8

That is why I put my faith in Christ, who doesn't dissapoint my expectations. Humans can be dangerous.

Answer 9

have realistic expectations