Nihilism In Germany

Doubt as sin.-- Christianity has done its utmost to close the circle and declared even doubt to be sin. One is supposed to be cast into belief without reason, by a miracle, and from then on to swim in it as in the brightest and least ambiguous of elements: even a glance towards land, even the thought that one perhaps exists for something else as well as swimming, even the slightest impulse of our amphibious nature- is sin! And notice that all this means that the foundation of belief and all reflection on its origin is likewise excluded as sinful. What is wanted are blindness and intoxication and an eternal song over the waves in which reason has drowned.

from Nietzsche's Daybreak,s. 89, R.J. Hollingdale transl

 

     Nietzche, a German writer ( labeled as nihilists)believed that Christianity leads to Nihilism and "God is dead". He gives several examples showing the destructive nature, pressure and negativitism of religion(Christianity), for example, asceticism, dancing mania and many more.

    

     In the above quotation, I think Nietzsche mentions the conservative and biased side of Christianity in which if someone doubts on Christianity,it is considered sin. As he mentions that human nature is filled with mixed opinions, curiosity and rationalizing things, it is ok to question the proof of God, its existence and the theory written in the religion and is legitimate too. But Christianity says that to doubt or question God is sin or crime. In addition, Christianity encourages and awares people to believe in God closing their eyes, without questioning no matter how unfair and unreasonable it would sound, otherwise they are criminals in front of God and will be punished.

 

     I think in today's generation there is a mixed opinion towards the religion. Some people think that there is no scientific proof that shows that God do exist and support Nietzsche's theory and they are moving forward in their lives focusing on rationalizing things. Some people are blinded by the religion and follow Christianity without any questioning. In contrast, some people think that religion is a medium to unite people and try to get benefit from it, so we can see politicians and leaders using the name of religion to get support,vote from the people and to justify their actions. Also, there are people who believe in Christianity or any religion which encourage them to be desciplined, to be faithful, to unite and to help and support each other in difficult situations.