We all need authority in life; it guides us, protects us, defends us, if neccessary. When we are children and teenagers, we fear/ respect/ obey our parents and teachers. Parents and teachers are the first phase authority.
When we grow older, there's the authority of the boss at the place of work. Unlike parents, and even teachers, there are ways to replace a boss if he's hard on us, or... we could just move to another workplace.
As to political authority, so far, it has failed us bitterly. Sometimes it's not even existent. Other times, it makes us wonder about its neccessity. Most of the time it gets on our nerves.
God, is the highest, ultimate authority , as everything that exists was created by Him. There's a spark of God in everyone of us.
I believe in God, pray to Him, ask Him for help. So, do others, individually, or as part of religious worship. My own belief has very little to do with religion. It is basically based on my wish for a direct link to Him, to that Spark he left in me and in everyone else.
Belief in God can prevent us from doing evil to ourselves and to others. Not always., perhaps. There are those among us, that are more concerned with the outer, superficial aspects of God's worship than with good and evil done to fellowmen.
Anyway, God stays with us forever.
Browsing the web, I came upon some over ten types of authority (or sub-authority if you wish), regarding the obedience of rules or orders given by a person or entity:
1. academic authority 2. charismatic authority (based on the charisma of the individual 3. expert authority 4. founder authority 5. ownership authority 6. administrative authority etc...
adult and policeman authority (AI image generated)
There is definitely a lack of authority in almost everything in todays world. Sometimes I think it's just me getting older and grumpy, but basically I am a happy person and still I see so much lack of authority. Self authority is greatly missing, please are not policing themselves. They are just going around willy-nilly doing only what makes them happy not caring how it affects everyone else. Good post my friend!
ReplyDeleteYou're OK, Alicia dear,. It's the lack of all sorts of authority around you that badly affect your reality.
DeleteThank you for your appreciation for my post as seen in your last sentence.
Some societies feel too overwhelmed with so much authority, external authority that doesn’t really allow the internal authority to manifest itself.
ReplyDeleteAgain, we cannot and we should not take all the privileges for granted… in a democratic environment. Having this ability, this power to choose is a blessing. Let’s use our internal authority on a daily basis. To choose how we live our life, who we choose to be friends with, how we dress, how we talk…
You always, dear Duta, have very interesting subjects to comment about.
Right . We should not take for granted and/ or badly exploit democratic privileges; certainly not allow external authority to limit or suppress the internal one.
DeleteThank you, Catarina, for the compliment in the final sentence of your comment.
God is Lord and Creator of all; He is my ultimate authority, too.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Duta!
No doubt about it.
DeleteBlessings to you, too ,Martha!
God, is the highest, ultimate authority - I agree!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandie. Your belief in God's authority, is common to many of us.
DeleteOver my life, I've known people who have escaped from the worst type of authority. I once worked with someone who escaped from Communist Romania. I grew up knowing some Holocaust survivors. The current political situation in the United States is of great concern.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I'm not very familiar with USA politics. I only know I've always been envious of It having two main parties: democrat and republican, whereas we have some - 7- 10 ones which is a disaster.
DeletePolitical authority or power is often misused and abused.
ReplyDeleteSadly, that's correct, Angie. I wish it weren't true, but it mostly is.
DeleteWe do indeed need authority, but I do wish that some of it (and yes political authority springs to mind) was more subject to checks and balances.
ReplyDelete'checks and balances" is a very important principle by which the state or any other institution separates powers, so that there's no centralized power in one, single branch.
DeleteIn the Bible Israel asked God for a king. He told them He would be their king, but they wanted a flesh and blood king. It brought them trouble, always, just like our politicians now. All of humanity needs God as king.
ReplyDeleteThe God I believe in, is a spiritual entity: allmighty, omnipresent, omnipotent. No flesh and blood can be that.
DeleteAmen.
DeleteIn answer to your question on my post:
Not the haircut, the forgiveness.
Forgiveness is ,indeed, God's domain.
DeleteThose in charge in a country need to be changed every so often. Our leadership needs to change again. Election time can’t come soon enough.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Marie - change, rotation of leaders ,are absolutely a Must in the ruling of a country.
DeleteI'm afraid, however, the elections cannot always 'provide the merchandise'.
Some people thrive for authority and power but they want it for themselves. As for God, they don't care about him either. If you can't see him, he doesn't exist for those people. You have to believe in God to feel his love for you. It's there, you just have to believe it and I do.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Bill. Authority and power for their own benefit. As for God, one has to believe in His existence; they believe only in what they can see with their eyes.
DeleteI agree and think like Bill.
ReplyDeleteHere so many younger ones don't respect authority at all. Such a pity as it seems they are not taught to respect anyone, if course there are those that do.
The young ones sometimes frighten me with their lack of discipline and respect. Not all of them, of course., but too many to my taste.
DeleteEstoy muy de acuerdo contigo Duta.
ReplyDeleteAbrazos.
I value your agreement with my opinions, Conchi. Thanks.
DeleteSuch a wonderful post, Duta. Just wonderful. Thank you for sharing. xx
ReplyDeleteYou've made my day with your kind words, Dianna. Thank you.
DeleteA great post and so true. God is the only one who can judge us and who has the ultimate authority. Jnice
ReplyDeleteGlad you too ,Janice, see God as the ultimate authority.
DeleteA most thoughtful post. There is much here upon which to ponder!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure 'authority' is a topic which gives much food to thought. Thanks, Jeanie.
DeleteThe lack of authority is what's getting people in trouble now, the parents don't have the authority they should, and it feels like less and less people are believing in God anymore. It's sad.
ReplyDeleteAsh @ Essentially Ash
Want to follow me on Bookstagram, booktok, add my snapchat or check out my photography?
Exactly. There's lack of authority of parents, and disbelief in God by many people.
DeleteAs always, thought provoking post. Political authority is a mess right now, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Political authority is always messy because of the complexity of interests and ambitions, and because the people electing the politicians are either dumb or naive.
DeleteI'm like you as regards faith. I have it, faith there is a God, it has to be faith because you cannot prove it, but I am not a participator in anything organised.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, I prefer my own faith in God, not that of organized religion.
DeleteI think most younger people have to respect for the authority of the police these days which gets them in trouble.
ReplyDeleteCute picture, isn't it?
DeleteYes, the policeman's uniform inspires authority in most cases., especially among the youngsters.
Yes, I feel as you do about that spark of God! I really enjoyed this post. The picture makes me think of a recent outing with the family at our favorite Mexican place which is very family oriented. The two little ones, 8 and 6 jumped into action when they saw the two officers talking to the manager. I wanted them to stay with us, but they both went up and thanked them for being police officers. They both came back with candy.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet of the two kids to thank the police officers! Well, they've sure got the right education. Anyway, their reward, candy, was also sweet.
DeleteThere's little authority left in today's world, no one wants to follow rules any more and there's no discipline when they break them. One of the reasons why the world is in the mess it's in.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you, Jo. No discipline, no authority, no rules. It's a sad world.
Deletei find the great authorities is my parents;)
ReplyDeleteNothing better in life than our parents at any age, ours and theirs (if they're alive and well).
DeleteInteresting post. Authority is a kettle of fish....some stink at being in charge over others. I was raised to always question authority in a respectful manner. Not to assume that just because someone was in a position of authority did that mean they were right, or good or deserving of my respect. Sadly, I think we have a great number of people in authority who should not be there.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandy.You've been raised in a right manner - to question things. And yes, sadly, many people in authority should not be there.
DeleteThere is a lack of authority nowadays :/
ReplyDeleteYou seem convinced of that, Kinga. I think, you may be right.
DeleteWe do indeed need authority, and we need to follow the rules and be aware if we break them there will be consequences.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately our world at present is sadly lacking in this.
All the best Jan
'unfortunately', 'sadly' - both words properly depict the world of no authority.
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