Religion - the determination to feel superior?

[Lord Bohemond]

I feel that every person has at least some drive to feel different and superior. This could be anything - going to heaven, being environmentally friendly, not eating animal-flesh, etc.

Like us God-believers. We're going to heaven, and you're not unless you join us.

Now some non-God believers have noticed this, and have actually taken up an interesting position. We don't believe we're superior because we're going to heaven... so that makes us superior to you!

So while a religious person feels superior because of his "salvation", a non-religious person feels superior because of his "reason".

Now this isn't limited to religion. This can apply to just about anything. A lot of Greens feel superior to everyone else because they recycle and ride their bikes to work.

It also applies to economics. It's been extremely common to feel superior because of birth and/or wealth and land ownership. Though Marxists have taken the exact opposite stance - the workers are better because they DON'T have a lot of money.

There's also an element of hypocrisy in all this. A religious person may partake in all the same ugly vices everyone else practices, like many tv evangelists. An atheist may babble about "universal human rights", even though he claims to base all his beliefs on reason, like many democratic politicians. An environmentalist may fly around in a private jet and run up a huge electric bill, like Al Gore. A Marxist may be completely dependent on capitalist money for survival, like Karl Marx.

So regardless of your beliefs, you've still got that nasty little urge to elevate yourself above the rest of us. I have that urge, and I know you do too.

[Darth Wong]

Your comment applies to the "fire and brimstone" type of Christian. This is the guy who's always ranting about all of the people in this world who deserve to go to hell even if they've never hurt anyone, because they don't worship his god or they have sex in a manner he doesn't approve of.

However, liberal Christians are the opposite. They tend to be consumed with guilt and feelings of inadequacy because they feel they cannot live up to the example of pure selflessness that they have been taught to believe is the core of their faith.

[Lord Bohemond]

However, liberal Christians are the opposite. They tend to be consumed with guilt and feelings of inadequacy because they feel they cannot live up to the example of pure selflessness that they have been taught to believe is the core of their faith.

The liberal Christians I've seen feel superior because they believe in gay marriage and the UN. They're no different.

If someone doesn't feel special because of his Christian beliefs - odds are he really doesn't feel strongly about those beliefs. It's human nature to take pride in something you truly believe in. A liberal Christian probably feels more strongly about liberal beliefs than Christian beliefs. So he takes more pride in the liberal beliefs.

[Darth Wong]

The liberal Christians I've seen feel superior because they believe in gay marriage and the UN. They're no different.

Yes they are. Why don't you see liberal Christian preacher demagogues ranting about how all the people who don't give enough to charity are going to BUUUURN IN THE LAKE OF FIIIIRE? Because they are not just like their right-wing counterparts.

[Roy Batty]

Yes they are. Why don't you see liberal Christian preacher demagogues ranting about how all the people who don't give enough to charity are going to BUUUURN IN THE LAKE OF FIIIIRE? Because they are not just like their right-wing counterparts.

That's what makes them feel superior. They don't try to force such hypocracy on their congregation. That they feel superior is what makes them the "same".

I know I feel superior to many because I feel I am more "aware" and therefore more in control of my mind and life. Of course, being the kook that I am, I also feel guilty for having a superiority complex and pretend to be the most modest, selfless person on the face of the planet.

<sigh>

What would Jesus do?

[Chaigidel]

yeah i think the feeling of superioty due to belief or economy or whatever--- because your you you are biased :o

everyone feels seperate from everyone else we are all alone to ourselves , so we are the kings of that place--- from that standpoint all are inferior

but when it comes to society i think its just the nature of the beast--people fall into the niches of economy/religion/ etcetc and fulfill needs of the society.

the ones that go against are aberrational and demonized

[Lord Bohemond]

But even if you conform to society in every way, you may still feel superior.

Take the hippies in the 60s for example. They all dressed the same, talked the same, had the same political and moral views, used the same drugs... yet they claimed to be "individual" and "independent"... even though they were all exactly the same.

[Chaigidel]

yeah but thats just because as individuals its very hard to actually understand yourself as part of a group--- we are all individuals in various groups by nature thats the way we as animals are we learn from those around us etc, family groups/ work groups / all mini groups none of the members may even realize each's influence on the other.. but it happens

but i agree even as people fall in line they have a sense of superiority perhaps cultivated by the culture or the media --- because I dont think ancient peoples had the same sense as we do since the age of the dreaded hippie

[Lord Bohemond]

On the contrary, many, perhaps all ancient peoples also felt superior in some way. They may be a superior religion, superior empire, superior race... or something along those lines.

[Chaigidel]

yeah but wasnt it as a people rather than individuals?

[Lord Bohemond]

Individuals generally feel superior because of their association with some sort of group. Humans are pack animals, they don't like being alone.

Even if that group is supposedly individualistic, like the hippies, it is still a group nonetheless.

[ajm317]

Indeed. I believe the OP's point regards an INTERNAL sense of superiority, not necessarily an EXTERNAL statement of superiority.

[mrjesushat]

I've never really felt superior. I simply am superior. I don't worry about trying to feel that way.

For instance, I know that I will go to Heaven because God only lets rational atheists who make savage fun of silly "true believers" into Heaven, in the first place. You think God wants to sit around with a bunch of Bible-thumping loonies for all eternity? Get real, man. Heaven's a giant orgy. God definitely does not want Pat Robertson there.

[Chaigidel]

if heaven is a giant orgy then I will burn it to the ground.

:o but i guess i wouldnt get in

[Skyler]

Just like mister Jesus hat said, I do not feel superior, I am simply not superior.

I just live and tend to disagree with alot of people, I am a good learner and most of the time I crave knowledge which I pick up after the craving but that doen't make me feel superior towards the people that lack it.

I am extremely modest damnit, I must be broken.

[mrjesushat]

Just like mister Jesus hat said, I do not feel superior, I am simply not superior.

I just live and tend to disagree with alot of people, I am a good learner and most of the time I crave knowledge which I pick up after the craving but that doen't make me feel superior towards the people that lack it.

I am extremely modest damnit, I must be broken.

Yes, our humility makes us better than all others. Bow down before Skyler and Mrjesushat, for we are humble, which is why we are the best.

If you act now, for only $19.99, you can also be super extra humble. Buy my, "975 Keys to Total Humility", and you too can be like Jesus. Except for the magic powers part.

On a serious note, what we're talking about here is Nietzche's notion of a Will to Power, or Adler's idea that all human beings seek a certain independence of will and personhood. These things are great insofar as they can help make free people, but we might ultimately want to consider the effects of our actions on a longer timescale. Today, we despoil the earth, and tomorrow, our descendants eat ashes and dust... That kind of thing. What good does it do us to have millions of people running around justifying their petty existences if the end result is that we are going to be at war with eachother over who dresses their imaginary friend in the best outfits?

All I'm saying is, if the Emperor's naked, then he's friggin' begging for a spanking.

[Kythras]

This is, as far as I can tell, a very silly thread - it's no secret that people feel superior to people who are different from them - that is the very definiteion of political and religious belief.

You'll never find someone who says "I think gays should have the right to marry, but I support "X" who says they shouldn't" people wouldn't hold the beliefs that do if they didn't think those beliefs were right, and in thinking their beliefs are right, the are automatically elevating themselves above those who think their beliefs are wrong...

[Mig el Pig]

It would be worse if everyone thought he was inferior.

[boofhead]

Jesus was the "Servant of Man", if not the "Slave". So for Xians to emulate Jesus and feel superior is anathema.

[Darth Wong]

I don't see why it's harmful to feel superior. I know I'm superior to a mentally retarded person; does this make me a bad person? I think it's harmful to try and harm people you think are inferior. That's why, even if you are correct about liberal Christians feeling superior to intolerant Christians, it is the intolerant Christians who are the problem.

Besides, arguing about inner states of mind is impossible anyway because you're just guessing. Some of the most arrogant people may actually be hiding deep insecurities, and some of the most unassuming people may actually have a gigantic superiority complex. You can't tell hidden motivations, so you can only judge observable behaviour.