There have been times when the church could viably claim a comprehensive view of existence. It could provide a “global cognitive map“* within which its subjects could understand the universe, life and their place within it.
I would say there must be certain things in place for this to take effect. First of all, the church needs to own the “Master Signifier“*… that is, the ultimate perfect Whole that signifies the fullness of all meaning. Secondly, the church must have the authority to pronounce and make this provision. Then, the church must possess the power to exercise this authority and enforce adherence to its provision.
There have been times when this was so. But no longer.
The church needs to admit that it no longer owns the Master Signifier. The world is populating with signifiers at an ever increasing rate, many of them legitimately competing for the Master position, such as Science. Secondly, the church loses its authority to claim sole possession of the Master Signifier and the global cognitive map this Master Signifier provides. Finally, the church’s power diminishes as it has to learn to share its heretofore monarchical territory with other authorities and their signifiers.
The church no longer holds the privileged position.
*I’m indebted to Slavoj Žižek for these phrases.
Need to talk with a pastor? Email me and we can arrange it: haywardart at gmail dot com (read more…)
My name is David Hayward, and I am the nakedpastor. I am a graffiti artist on the walls of religion.
“The church needs to admit that it no longer owns the Master Signifier.”
Have you ever known a church to do this? And how would they do it exactly?
I read recently of a pastors conference where the pastors were basically being assured they are still very significant. “God-appointed to keep Christians from ignorance” was how it was put, I think.
It’s not “a church” but “the church” as in Christianity in general.
“The church must possess the power to exercise this authority and enforce adherence to its provision.”
Whenever the church has had that power it hasn’t been great for mankind. Power is better off with the Holy Spirit?
So you’re talking about like the church in the Middle Ages when they were connected to actual governance of people’s lives, and it mattered greatly what they said about things? And if you didn’t go along with their view, you would rightly feel afraid, like Galileo?
Now the church must compete with scientific knowledge and a secular government and the internet which gives everybody easy access to information. The church is one of many sources of information. The church is stuck with that one book. All their ideas have to line up with that book.
When I was still attending church, I regularly had the feeling that going to church on Sunday morning was completely dispensable really. What good was I doing anyone by being there? What good was it doing me to go there? I learned WAY more from reading on the internet than listening to a sermon. I have my Bible right here if I need to read it. Many have discovered that church friendships don’t run very deep after all.
I’m probably venturing way off subject, but your post made me start thinking of all that has really affected the church. The ability to travel more easily, the ability to communicate more easily, women having careers, education. All have reduced the role of the church more and more.
If you replace the word “church” with “religion”, I’m thinking you’d be singing a different tune.
Right?
Good question TGM. Actually, I suppose they are interchangeable. However, I would more suggest that this day and age all religions have become representatives of Master Signifiers. They are all part of the competition.