We are all controlled by the power elite be they politcal, psychological, or religious. Culture has it"s power elites whose job it is to control the status quo, keep the masses conformed to elite expectations, ad otherwise appear to be compassionate and caring for the down and out. The power elite have the power and they exercise it religiously.
We are all indoctrinated to some degree or another with belief systems that advance the cause of the elite. For the Catholic church it is the Pope, cardinals, and priests who keep the millions in control and conformity by reading Scripture in Latin and not encouraging people to read their Bibles. Let the priests tell you what the Bible says. No diverse opinions are allowed.
For the protestants it"s the denominational mantra, elders, and deacons that keep everyone focused on whatever specific theology is being advanced. Occasionally someone decides to walk out towards the edge of the particular belief system to take a look-see at what"s out there thinking they have FREE WILL.
Free will or a manufactured placebo?
If you go against the grain of the localized belief system or even raise your hand to ask a question, you"ll find out you have NO FREE WILL at all. Get in a church group and ask people if the think reincarnation is valid, if original blessing is more valid than original sin, or if Mary was actually a virgin. It doesn"t matter if you believe any of the above or not, it"s the THREAT of asking the question, the fear that you might not be conforming to established doctrine that brings the retributions.
So most often, the fear and threat of rejection drives the person back into the crowd as they question their own reasoning and beliefs. But the still small voice keeps speaking to them and the dissatisfaction continues to grow. They either cower in shame, not able to articulate what they feel, or they go with the flow and stifle the spiritual juices that bring life.
>The power elite do not allow for diversity.
>The power elite have all the answers and there are no doubts.
>The power elite keep a tight rein on all belief structures.
>The power elite are not humble.
>The power elite killed Jesus and they"ll destroy you if you challenge them.
There is an alarm within each of us that alerts us to what"s true and what is not. That alarm is the Spirit of God within each of us. Listen to that voice, obey it, and walk in faith, not fear of the power elite. The going will be more than difficult at first and you will question your sanity and motives many times; however, there are worse things than bieng rejected.
We all die, but we don"t all live life fully! LIVE!