SUPERIOR
An element of power is thinking in a superior way. This phenomenon of being superior to other countries and other people is often deeply rooted in certain cultures and their leaders.
We also find the opposite in certain cultures and countries.
Often governments and their inhabitants act unconsciously from inferior feelings and thoughts to those countries and those leaders who are seen as superior.
We also find this superior and inferior way of thinking and feeling within the national boundaries with regard to certain groups that are superior and are guided by supremacy.
Unfortunately there are some examples: perhaps the most famous example of a superior way of thinking and acting can be found in the United States of America.
The elected presidents know how powerful and superior they are compared to other countries, both military and economic.
“Nothing is better than this America” is their deeply rooted conviction, even if it does not fit with the facts, such as in the field of health care, education and the lagging integration of minorities such as the black population, the Latinos and increasingly the immigrant group of Muslims.
” Without any hesitation the American democracy and their cherised capitalism are great examples, it is the best there is and should therefore be followed by every other country “
Despite the fact that there is enough to compromise on this American superior way of thinking and feeling, there is no better country in the world than the USA for the average, particularly white American.
Without any hesitation the American democracy and their cherised capitalism are great examples, it is the best there is and should therefore be followed by every other country.
From the American perspective, the Chinese model of state-led communism and economy is inferior to that of America.
The same applies to the Russian federation with its inferior economy and central organized leadership.
Even Europe comes off worse with this superior way of thinking.
The EU represents a socialism which for many Americans borders on inferior communism.
Europe must be much more determined by the power and influence of the capitalist system.
“So away with all that exaggerated social stuff in Europe; away with the rules that restrict companies and protect employees” is, especially under the leadership of President Trump and the ruling Republicans, a with much bravura heard statement in America when it comes to Europe.
This superior way of thinking and acting of the USA therefore leads to a certain dependence in Europe, for example expressed in the NATO partnership, in which practically all countries are somewhat offended by Trump and Co. in 2017.
America thinks she can do so and acts accordingly.
One of the problems is that countries such as China, Russia, but also Europe and African countries all too often confirm this superiority of America by their more or less submissive and inferior attitude.
Another example of superior way of thinking, feeling and acting can be found in South Africa.
Before the apartheid formally came to an end, the white inhabitants of this country were in control, where the black population was seen as of little or no value, with the Indians and Pakistani as a sort of intermediate caste, where the white population completely stood above.
Fortunately, this kind of superiority thinking and acting has come to an end and the black majority is in control of the government nowadays.
Yet there are still many whites who long for the moments that they were superior and in charge.
” Ghandi greatly appreciated the example of Christ, but he saw in every day practice of the followers of Christ a completely different Christianity; he wanted nothing to do with the latter “
Very deep in the hearts of many whites still live this idea, this feeling of being superior to the others in their countries.
Often these adherents of a superiority concept are also followers of Christianity.
Their thinking, their feeling, their actions were and still are determined by their Christian convictions.
Texts from the Old and New Testaments and their interpretations are therefore used as justification for this form of superiority.
That such an arrogant way of thinking and acting has consequences is apparent, for example, from the meeting that Mahatma Ghandi had in South Africa with these Christians, who lived under and with this bible-based apartheid system.
Ghandi greatly appreciated the example of Christ, but he saw in every day practice of the followers of Christ a completely different Christianity.
He wanted nothing to do with the latter.
He saw the same superior acting and thinking in South Africa which he also observed in the domination of his India by the British.
The ultimate form of arrogance and justified by all kinds of biblical texts.
In that sense, Ghandi returned disappointed to Brittan dominated India; Christianity no, but Christ himself is something completely different.
In that Spirit of Christ you could conclude, the Hindu Ghandi started his opposition against the British domination.
Followers of Christ are one of a kind.
Through the centuries they have waged wars in the name of Christ, because the thought was and still is, that what the churches have established is superior to all other religions and dissenters.
So it is justified to defend Christianity by fire and sword and even to extend it by force.
Consider for example the colonization by most European countries of African and Asian areas and the accompanying violence, oppression and evangelizing of the indigenous people by force.
Also the Jews in Europe became and still are victims of this superior way of thinking and acting of Christian nations and its inhabitants.
This also applies to the Arabs and Muslims in general, who are considered inferior by most Christians.
Conversely it is also true; after all Orthodox Judaism, Islam and the Hindus also know their superior way of thinking and traditions in which the dissenters, those of different faith, are regarded as inferior.
Think for example of the murder of Rabin by a Jewish orthodox believer, the terror of Al Kaïda and Isis in Islam and the slaughter and murder of the Rohingya population by Buddhist fanatics.
How wrong this superior way of thinking, feeling and acting is, is actually expressed among the Christians themselves.
” Thinking in a superior way, based on doctrinal matters, interpretations of texts from the Old and New Testament and sometimes also apocryphal writings and/or statements of popes and other ecclesiastical leaders through the ages, is far away from what Christ stood for “
The Roman Catholic Church, headed by the pope, actually considers itself the only true Christian religion.
Other denominations have to actually come back into the Roman Catholic Church.
At the heart of the matter the Greek and Russian orthodox churches think the same, they are the only true church.
But also the Protestant churches and groups are one of a kind. They think exactly the same as well.
The only way to Christ is through their ecclesial community.
Thinking in a superior way, based on doctrinal matters, interpretations of texts from the Old and New Testament and sometimes also apocryphal writings and/or statements of popes and other ecclesiastical leaders through the ages, is far away from what Christ stood for.
It is therefore logical that many people have had enough of this hypocritical Christianity and are dropping out of the dogmas and where the churches are standing for.
Outsiders are little or not at all addressed by the history of the followers of Christ with their superior way of thinking and acting, their dogmas, their hypocritical condemnations of everything and everyone who does not believe the same thing what they believe.
Fortunately there is a bright spot.
In the acting of the current Roman Catholic Pope Francis who tries to live in and by the Spirit of Christ, despite much opposition within his own church.
He and Ghandi understand more of the Spirit of Christ than many past and present day church leaders of any denomination whatsoever.
To use religion, whatever religion, as a weapon to show your own superiority to others or let them experience this power is contrary to the Spirit of Christ.
He taught us to regard the other as more excellent than ourselves.
