Human Insanity

Human Insanity

Introduction

This essay illustrates the paradox of human nature presented in “The Complaint of Peace” by Desiderius Erasmus; moreover, it shows how many Christian become insane by choosing and justifying the use of violence in order to obtain peace. As a matter of fact, Erasmus' agenda is to question human nature and sanity. For him, most people who claim to be Christian are not living according to Jesus' gospel. These people's words and deeds, especially of those in positions of authority, go in opposite directions. They choose violence rather than peace being influenced by a deceitful church and government.

In “The Complaint of Peace,” Erasmus' peculiar way of writing, being ironic, challenges the interpretation of human nature that is proclaimed on the Gospel of Jesus. It is in the Scriptures, particularly in Jesus' gospels, that Erasmus rooted his understanding of human nature. He says: “From nature man…..prospect of remuneration” (6). It is clear that, for Erasmus, the human condition is to be loved and needs to have peaceful words and actions of self-giving to others.

Discussion

The lack of access to the absolute truth, leads to Erasmus' skepticism of human ability of intellect to look for peace. In order to appreciate Erasmus' contribution, readers should understand that for him, humankind possesses absolute truth and knowledge. Erasmus illustrates:“Nature has also rendered the bonds both of kindred and affinity strong; a similarity of natural disposition, inclination, studies, nay of external form, becomes a very powerful cause of attachment; and there is a secret sympathy of minds, a wonderful lure to mutual affection” (8). For him, knowledge and wisdom comes as a result of the human search for love and an understanding of the human's own nature; an inner peace of doing good by serving others. However, Erasmus is suspicious of the sources from which humans obtain their knowledge. That is because unjust judgments and actions prevail.

According to Erasmus, religious leaders limit the knowledge of the absolute truth of human nature; as a result Christians cannot unveil and develop their true nature of rejecting violence. Erasmus demonstrates the corruption of clergy. It is the clergy who change and reduce the whole meaning of Christianity to mere ceremonies because “men were struggling for office, for glory, for riches” (23). For the ones who claim to be servants have twisted the value of a rite, to follow by a series of steps to gain something in return, thus emphasizing doctrines relating to faith, which will guarantee eternal salvation. It is safe to say that Erasmus does not reject rituals completely, but he advocates that they should be performed in accordance with right feeling and understanding (Desiderius, 2004).

Indeed, religious leaders undermine the Gospel and use sacraments as banal rituals, as a gateway of knowing Christ. Erasmus declares: “The right reverend fathers in God, the holy bishops, forgetting their personal and professional dignity, were continually running to and for, like the evil-one, adding virulence to the public disease of the world, by their mischievous officiousness” ...