Is Organized Religion Just a Tool for Power and Control?
(image by Netflix)
The writers of Netflix’s Parasyte: The Grey seem to be suggesting that religion was created by humans rather than God, with the sole purpose of gaining power and control over humanity. While this may hold true for some forms of organized religion, it fundamentally misrepresents Christianity. The life and teachings of Jesus (Christianity’s founder), demonstrate a stark contrast to such claims.
Jesus: A Model of Humility and Sacrifice
Unlike leaders who sought power and control, Jesus actively avoided earthly power and practiced humility. Consider these examples:
Refusal of Earthly Kingship: After the miracle of feeding the 5,000, the crowd wanted to make Jesus king by force, but He withdrew to a mountain by Himself (John 6:15). Jesus consistently rejected political power, emphasizing a kingdom "not of this world" (John 18:36).
Washing the Disciples’ Feet: In a culture where washing feet was a task for servants, Jesus humbly washed His disciples’ feet, setting an example of servanthood (John 13:12-17).
Sacrificial Death: Far from seeking power, Jesus willingly laid down His life on the cross, enduring humiliation and suffering for the sake of humanity (Philippians 2:6-8).
These actions underscore that Christianity’s foundation is not about control or domination but about love, humility, and self-sacrifice. Jesus’ message was one of serving others and seeking reconciliation with God—not wielding authority for personal gain.
Misuse of Christianity’s Name
While Christianity’s core message is rooted in humility and love, many individuals and institutions have misused the name of Christianity in their personal pursuit of power. From the Crusades to colonial exploitation, countless people have twisted the teachings of Jesus to justify their own agendas.
These misdeeds, however, do not reflect the essence of Christianity but rather the failings of humans who distort its message.
Conclusion
Netflix’s Parasyte: The Grey suggests that religion is a manmade tool for gaining power, but that critique doesn’t stand up to Jesus’ life and teachings. Jesus spoke about an “upside down” kingdom where the first would be last, and the last would be first. Jesus offers a powerful counter-narrative to the human instinct of using power for our own personal gain.
