Why Respect Authority?

[Elderman]

Respect for authority does not always come easily to us. Do you sometimes find it difficult to respect those who have a measure of authority over you? If so, you are not alone in this struggle. We live at a time when respect for authority seems to be at an all-time low. Yet, the Bible says that we need to show respect for those who hold positions of authority over us.
(1 PETER 2:17)

[yogi-bear]

"I will reciprocate".......

Morning sweetheart........yep i bet you do, you little minx! :0) x


Hey Doc

Good question, my good man.......I like to think of it as half over.....cos it feels that you're on the chill down to the weekend then. Got to go and do some chores soon.......just on my 3rd coffee. :)

Have a great day all :0) xxx

[naomi24]

//Yet, the Bible says that we need to show respect for those who hold positions of authority over us. //

Well, of course the bible says that! That's how it keeps YOU subservient, Elderman!

Those in positions of authority wield the upper hand - always - and some of them rule by fear - just as your God rules by fear. Whilst, for that very reason, people may concede to the wishes of their masters, fear does not constitute respect.

[China Doll]

I think politeness and respect can be confused. Just because I say please, thank you and am civil to you does not mean I respect you; I'm actually just polite. I have to know someone or know something about someone or their work to respect them. I respect my parents by applying the good manners and politeness they taught me but politeness is not respect in my opinion.

[Old_Geezer]

Clearly you respect them enough to remain polite. They may be different, but there is a correlation.

Everyone gets a certain amount of respect on first meeting. It is assumed they are worthy of that much at least. Authority figures may get more since to avoid chaos one needs to have some kind of system so some respect is for the individual, the rest for the position they hold. Whether that initial level of respect increases towards a maximum or decreases towards a minimum will then depend on one's experience of the individual. In the case of an authority figure, if one feels one is merely being pushed around and disrespected instead of being provided with a service then respect falls dramatically, since we have no desire to encourage nor submit to tyranny.

[China Doll]

Nothing to do with respect OG unless it's the respect I have for myself on not being a rude person. To me, respect is someone I look up to, admire and value. I don't do any of that for the average stranger in the street.

[Ankou]

people in my team respect my authority.

if they don't, then they aint in my team.

gotta grind the buggers down and make them feel inadequate. in this way i'm like god.

[jno]

"Respect is something I was brought up on, if someone shows me respect than I will reciprocate"

you first, Bobbi

[Elderman]

To give respect to whom it is due requires thought and good judgment and so may be said to be an art. And since it is a just and righteous requirement it can also be called a virtue.

Why might some people try to excuse themselves from showing the sort of respect that the Bible encourages? Local culture may dictate who is eligible for honour according to caste, colour, gender, health, age, wealth, or social status. Widespread corruption among public officials has eroded respect for authority. In some lands people are greatly dissatisfied with their lot in life, perhaps working long hours just to have the bare necessities, and they are surrounded by people who do not manifest respect. Youths experience peer pressure to join in rebellion against unpopular teachers and other authority figures. Many are influenced by television’s portrayal of children outsmarting and dominating their parents. It takes effort to keep such fleshly concepts from altering our regard for others. Yet, when we accord people dignity, this engenders an atmosphere in which an interchange of ideas is more readily possible.

[jake-the-peg]

Any chance you're going to answer my question about why you don't respect the authority of the Catholic church?

[Bobbisox]

not sure what your answer means jno ?

[Old_Geezer]

It means if you both are waiting for the other then niether will ever show respect.

[Bobbisox]

Oh I see, it's usually a two way street imo, I don't wait, I give respect and hope I will get it back,,,so I suppose I would go first into a virgin situation?

[Ankou]

so thats different to what you said before then ?

[Bobbisox]

if you say so

[Ankou]

i don't, but do you ?

will you go out and give respect willy nilly, or as you first said, sit around and wait for it to come to you first ?

[goodlife]

Christians conscientiously adhere to the principles stated at Romans 13:1-7. As you read over that passage, you can see that “the superior authorities” mentioned there are the secular governments. As long as God allows these human powers to exist, they perform important functions, maintaining a measure of order and providing needed services.

We show our respect for these authorities by means of our law-abiding conduct. We are careful to pay whatever taxes we owe, to fill out properly any forms or documents that the government may require, and to comply with any laws that involve us, our family, business, or possessions. However, we do not submit to the secular authorities if they ask us to disobey God. Rather, we reply as did the apostles of old: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.”—Acts 5:28, 29;

[Bobbisox]

if the situation arises where I am in conversation with someone and I have initiated this conversation , then I would be polite and respectful......

[naomi24]

He doesn't answer difficult questions, Jake - oh, and he isn't a JW by the way.

I'm not really sure where you're going here Elderman. Are you saying that without God, we can't have or teach respect? Or am I misunderstanding you?

[Elderman]

Many persons really feel that respect is an issue because they deplore its scarcity. Do you agree that more discipline is needed? Do you appreciate discipline; that is, do you value it highly and do you profit from it? How about your religion in this respect? Does your religion respect you? Has it brought good results to you through discipline? If you feel it has, can you mention specific benefits?

[Ankou]

i've got a team that delivers, which brings the company profit, and respect of clients.

i don't have religion, i think that would be a backward step.