PRELUDE
“Power corrupts” is a statement that is in most cases certainly true, especially when people are holding certain (power) positions for a long time.
There are many examples, such as Putin in the Russian Federation, Erdogan in Turkey, Duterte in the Philippines, Kim Yong Un in North Korea and, for a short time in power, also with Trump we clearly see signs of dictatorial traits.
Power in general manifests itself not only in corruption, but especially in the influence that these people often have on their own population.
Critical noises are nipped in the bud and people are oppressed by all possible means.
The rest of the population learns to behave and express themselves as puppets of the leader.
These rulers need these docile followers to stroke their own ego and above all to strengthen the feeling that they are on the right track and therefore doing not that bad, and of course, in the country’s best interest.
The manipulation of the truth and the facts, the suppression of the free press and the ridiculing of opponents and/or critics, is part of these rulers’ daily) routine.
This applies to certain leaders at the macro level as in the aforementioned countries, but this can also apply to managers at meso and micro level.
Examples at meso level can be found at the institutions of governments, multinationals and worldwide organizations, whether or not being charitable.
Examples at micro level are the many locally operating companies, mental and religious institutions and other similar small organizations.
Wherever people are given too much power, or people stay at a certain position for too long, such as directors, managers etc., the danger of abuse of power and the accompanying excesses is present.
People slide off very easily to this questionable level, consciously or unconsciously.
We also see the same phenomena on a religious level.
At macro level, we see this phenomenon appearing in the globally operating Roman Catholic Church, Islam, but also in the generally global Protestant collaborations.
At meso level, we see this often expressed at a national level, in the religious groups mentioned above.
At a micro level we often have to deal with local parishes, churches, mosques and religious organizations.
Now almost all people have a tendency to honor their heroes, whether they are political leaders or that great director/manager, or their spiritual leaders.
Because of this tendency of admiration and/or worship, people often, but not always, unintentionally get an aureole which makes it easier to afford things that otherwise would not be possible.
Our music heroes are another example of this tendency towards glorification.
Some of our generation have already passed away, such as Elvis, Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker and others.
To this day, April 2018, these heroes are still honored by a large part of their supporters.
No word but praise for them, because they have obtained a cult status with their supporters.
Other music heroes are still alive, such as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Cliff Richard, The Rolling Stones, etc.
These living legends have their own, often fanatical supporters, who honor them as heroes and place them on a pedestal, making them blind for the heroes’ human error.
Apparently many, many people, need this admiration, this worship for certain people to satisfy their sense of belonging.
Man can be manipulated and eagerly anticipated by leaders and other leading figures in the world.
This op-ed is about this power and the associated manipulation and admiration/worship.
What is the mission of man in this, especially seen from the Christian perspective?
