The doctrine of blind obedience and unqualified submission to any human power, whether civil or ecclesiastical, is the doctrine of despotism, and ought to have no place among Republicans and Christians.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
If all Church power vests in the clergy, then the people are practically bound to passive obedience in all matters of faith and practice; for all right of private judgment is then denied.
Common tyrants, and public oppressors, are not intitled to obedience from their subjects, by virtue of any thing here laid down by the inspired apostle.
The church is not a political power; it's not a party, but it's a moral power.
When any government, or any church for that matter, undertakes to say to its subjects, This you may not read, this you must not see, this you are forbidden to know, the end result is tyranny and oppression no matter how holy the motives.
In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith.
It is a thoroughly anti-christian doctrine that the Spirit of God, and therefore the life and governing power of the Church, resides in the ministry, to the exclusion of the people.
I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.
Obedience is the fruit of faith.
Standards of conduct appropriate to civil society or the workings of a democracy cannot be purely and simply applied to the Church.
Obedience is an act of faith; disobedience is the result of unbelief.