Comparing Nietzche And Kierkegaard's Conception Of Religion

I grew up going to a Catholic school and the idea of going through the motions was very real. We would go to church every Friday as a school, and receive communion, but there was no thought behind it. Sacraments came along the way that were supposed to have spiritual meaning and no one would put any effort into them. This idea came along with Kierkegaard because he saw the loss of meaning during the first half of the nineteenth century. Most people were becoming baptized, joining the church, and dying within the church. A norm was created, and Kierkegaard was ready to address it. Ritualization and institutionalization had prevented people from choosing their own path in life. Also, Kierkegaard and Pascal had different approaches to how

People are not honest with themselves and are preventing themselves from a purpose. According to Nietzche “man had finally become a sick animal, full of shame before others, remorse, for his past, fear for his future, and always trembling before his self-created gods” (Earle, p. 68). There was a different comparison with Nietzche and Kierkegaard because Nietzche went after people’s beliefs in God while Kierkegaard went after the actions of the people. In life, people will always question your beliefs, but it is up to you to prove that you have faith. Actions speak a lot louder than words and Kierkegaard was trying to address that issue. People were not acting upon their beliefs, but only going through the motions. People still are living without meaning and Kierkegaard found this out early

He pointed out that “God has set up in the Church visible signs to make himself known to those who should seek him sincerely, and that he has nevertheless so disguised them that he will only be perceived by those who seek him with all their heart” (Pascal’s Pensees, p. 53). For those who truly believe in God, they will live their life with a sense of meaning. Pascal and Kierkegaard are similar when it comes to this belief because they are strong believers that one should trust that God will be in their life. Instead of going through the motions of religion, one should show their true belief in God by practicing good deeds. If good deeds are practiced throughout life, then the after-life would be highly likely if they believe. God must be seen to have true meaning and that is what Pascal is pointing