Reformers Who Failed in Reform
Many participated in reform movements and failed, because they did not follow a sound spiritual path in reform. Among these are:
Lovers of opposition
There are people who do not possess gifts for building. Rather, all their gifts are aggressive—in opposition, destruction, and challenging leadership.
The love of opposition presents them in the appearance of leadership, defending the truth, loving reform, and possessing holy zeal!
The love of opposition also gives them the appearance of knowledge, as though they know what others know about the inner matters and about the best paths that should be followed. It gives them the appearance of those who know the law, the traditions, and the truth that ought to be upheld.
The love of leadership changes them, and appearing in the image of knowledge satisfies their pride. Opposition in general surrounds them before the public with an aura of boldness and strength. Therefore they always remain in the policy of opposition.
The difference between the true opponent and the lover of opposition is that the lover of opposition always opposes. He closes his eyes to every glorious work that should be praised, and he sees only the mistakes that should be attacked, even if they were not mistakes in themselves. Rather, he sees them as such.
Therefore, the lover of opposition is not just. Sometimes he challenges people’s feelings in their joy, disturbs their happiness, tries to shake their confidence in their leaders, raises doubts, and causes love to be lost. Thus his way fails.
People see him representing hatred and resentment, and stirring up conflict. His words are harsh. His judgments are unjust. He always attacks without justification. He fabricates problems, causes people to lose their hope in the future, and declares to them that everything they see is entirely wrong. He provokes them to join him in his attack. But they move away from him, because he takes away their peace.
It is very easy for any student in a school to criticize a poem of poetry. But it is difficult for him to compose a poem.
Criticism is easy; everyone can do it. But building is difficult, even for the critics who appear as knowledgeable lovers of ideals.
Article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Kiraza Magazine – Year Eight (Issue Twenty-Four) – 17-6-1977
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