Nietzsche’s Critique of Christianity: Values and Morality
Criticism of Christianity
Nietzsche believed Christianity ended the contempt for life in Western culture, stemming from Socrates and Plato. This radical shift was necessary for the emergence of the Übermensch (superman).
To understand his critique, note that Nietzsche viewed religion as untrue, based on a false belief in the supernatural. His atheism deemed all supernatural beliefs false. The task is to understand how Nietzsche believed in this illusion. The answer lies in the resentment felt towards life’s tragic dimension, fostering religious beliefs.
Nietzsche focused on these elements of Christianity:
1. Christian Metaphysics
Christianity is “Platonism for the people.” It mirrors Plato’s inability to accept life’s dimensions, seeking solace beyond this world. Christianity splits reality into an eternal, perfect world and an apparent, imperfect world, reflecting Platonic philosophy.
2. Christian Morality
Christianity promotes “slave morality”—humility, submission, poverty, and weakness. It destroys noble values of the ancient world, replacing them with obedience and sacrifice. The concept of guilt and sin is unhealthy, countered by the “innocence of becoming.”
3. Negative Influence
Christianity corrupted Western thought, tainting philosophy with theological views.
4. Evaluation of Jesus
Nietzsche saw Jesus as a revolutionary, opposed to religious power, advocating non-violence. Modern Christianity owes more to Paul than Jesus. True Christianity is about inner peace and rejecting worldly concerns (The Will to Power).
5. Polytheism vs. Monotheism
While all religions are false, polytheism reflects life’s richness, unlike monotheism. Monotheism devalues the real world, promoting anti-life values. The Christian God represents weakness and hostility to life (The Antichrist).
Overcoming Christianity, initiated by the Enlightenment, is crucial for the transmutation of values and recovery of lost values.