The Anti-Christ by the German Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche - Essay Example

The Anti-Christ Introduction Friedrich Nietzsche was a famous and influential German philosopher of the nineteenth century. He was an active and vocal critique of moral systems like Christianity which bred hypocrisy and double standards. Christians lecture and sermonize about the virtues of affection and compassion but will denounce and disapprove the actions pursued by other people. Nietzsche argued for the revitalization of Christian values as preached and practiced by Jesus Christ. According to the philosopher Christ had the willpower and determination to practice his beliefs and values. Further he possessed insight, perception and astuteness in his character. Nietzsche was a critique of the Christian religious beliefs which had been organized and invented by followers of Jesus Christ. He denounced Christians as totally incapable of rational and logical thoughts. The Anti-Christ is a brilliant portrayal of Nietzsche’s beliefs and attitudes towards Christianity. The aim of this paper is to evaluate and investigate the difference between Jesus Christ and his followers according to the philosophical assessment by Nietzsche. It also seeks to emphasize and underline Nietzsche’s arguments that conclude Christianity as being problematic for contemporary society. Finally the paper will evaluate as to whether there is a solution for this dilemma. The Anti-Christ The Anti-Christ is a brilliant work of genius by the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Christianity is denounced for being an affliction on human society because it promotes hypocrisy and submission. The intellectual growth of humans has been stifled by the religion as it sought to define notions of good and evil. The values and principles of Christianity are based upon weakness, inaction, and passive acceptance of the status quo. This acts as a barrier and hindrance for the intellectual and physical growth of society. Such restrictions seek to prevent the growth and expansion of society because it imparts negative convictions inside the minds of human beings. Nietzsche addresses only the intellectuals who have the mental framework to be neutral and impartial in reading the contents of the Anti-Christ. Difference between Jesus Christ and Christians Nietzsche values and compliments Jesus Christ as being fundamentally different from his followers. Jesus was a radical and activist who spoke out against the social order of the time. Freedom and liberty were important concepts of Christ who denounced the Jewish clergy. Further the philosopher asserts that Christ was executed and crucified for his own crimes. Remorse and transgression were eradicated by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Nietzsche argues that the purpose of the sacrifice was “to show mankind how to live” (Nietzsche). He gives the example of Christ as one who “does not resist; he does not defend his rights; he makes no effort to ward off the most extreme penalty--more, he invites it” (Nietzsche). Christians are denounced for their hypocrisy and double standards. Nietzsche gives the example of priests who despite having adequate knowledge regarding the fallacy of their beliefs still cling to it and preaching it to the masses (Nietzsche). Similarly while the virtues of love, tolerance, forbearance, and mercy are preached by the Christians in reality there is no practical demonstration of it. Again Nietzsche provides an example of a prince who representing the “expression of the egoism and arrogance of his people” leads them to conquest and pillage while professing as a Christian (Nietzsche). Christianity and Contemporary World Nietzsche expresses his profound distrust and aversion of Christianity because of its inapplicability in the modern world. The philosopher thinks that Christianity is problematic for contemporary society because it retards and hinders its intellectual and mental growth. The notions of right and wrong are deficient and flawed. Nietzsche gives the fundamental characteristic of Christianity as being based on shame and disappointment. He calls the world order described in the scriptures as “apparently out of a Russian novel” (Nietzsche). The philosopher gives the example of depressants which are medications that can inhibit the stimulation and intellectual growth of human beings. Christianity does not offer solutions for proactive and revolutionary measures in order to change society. It emphasizes passive submission and docile weakness. Nietzsche also denounces Christianity as being responsible for creating a vision that is “progressively clumsier misunderstanding of an original symbolism” (Nietzsche). Nietzsche also lambasted Christianity for creating a fictitious order of scheme under which everyone will be judged according to their morals. He also lashed out against the slavish mentality created by the Church that does not give its followers the right to question notions and beliefs. The Church has also lost its importance and significance in the modern world according to Nietzsche because it teaches a moral order that acts as an obstacle to the success and progress of humanity. He portrays these feelings by stating that “Eternal bliss is not merely promised, nor is it bound up with conditions: it is conceived as the only reality” (Nietzsche). The philosopher gives the example of a Christian as a person who does not question his inner beliefs and acts passively around the changing mechanisms of society (Nietzsche). Solution for Dilemma Nietzsche does not offer any solution for his dilemma. Yet he insists that Jesus Christ was the only true Christian who was a revolutionary and activist against the decadent moral order of the time. Nietzsche believed that Christianity acts as a barrier for the progress and development of mankind by its imaginative beliefs and values. The philosopher states “The life of the Savior was simply a carrying out of this way of life” (Nietzsche). In other words the message and struggle of Jesus was only for himself and not for the creation of a religion that would have millions of followers within a span of two thousand years. Conclusion The Anti-Christ is a brilliant piece of literature that differentiates between Jesus Christ and Christians. Jesus was a revolutionary and social activist who rebelled against the decadent moral order of the time. Christians have transformed and distorted the teachings of Christianity by creating definitions of good and evil. Christianity is also a problem for the contemporary society because it seeks to inhibit the rational and logical thoughts of mankind. Priests and the Church are relics of the past who preach and sermonize myths and legends. Works Cited: Nietzsche, Friedrich. "The Anti-Christ." Swansea University. 1920. Swansea University. 29 Apr 2009 . Read More