Obedience

Sometime ago, a friend of mine related an incident to me. He was opposed to lennonism, and he was of acquaintance to a young man who served as an altar boy in Cleveland's latin-rite cathedral. The altar boy disapproved of my friend's activism. He said to him, "obedience is more important than faith". My friend was taken aback, in his mind that would allow all sorts of horridness and injustice.

To me, I was immediately reminded of the Grand Inquisitor chapter in Dostojevskij's, Brothers Karamazov. Ivan, who may be mad, is relating his unwritten poem to his brother Aleksej (Aljosha). In 16th century Seville, Jesus returns. He has been performing miracles, and he is brought to the aged inquisitor. The old man is furious, and proceeds with a long speech. He is upset with Jesus.

The three temptations that Jesus refused in the wilderness were the genesis of his argument. They who have led the church have controlled mutinous man quite well. They have lied to men for their own well-being. They have corrected Jesus' work. Jesus would not surrender freedom. Now man has, for obedience. And now the obedient flock will bring the coals to burn Jesus, to-morrow, in an auto-da-fé.

Aljosha interrupts Ivan. He is upset, he realises the story absurd, the old man is insane. He says to his brother, that is not our Orthodox faith, it is not even the (Roman) Catholic faith, it is only the worst elements of catholicism.

He asks Ivan how does the story end. Jesus had looked into the old man's eyes throughout, and said nothing. He desires a response, after a time Jesus kisses him. The old man angrily lets Jesus go.

Obedience. Lennon's defenders complain of priests whom would break their vow of obedience to their bishop. They complain of the laity who dare rebel. Oh, these are terrible, disreputable, sinful people.

Lennon issues statements on 'unity'. It is a doublethink term for 'obedience'.