Christianity Quote by René Girard
““The commandment to imitate Jesus does not appear suddenly in a world exempt from imitation; rather it is addressed to everyone that mimetic rivalry has affected. Non-Christians imagine that to be converted they must renounce an autonomy that all people possess naturally, a freedom and independence that Jesus would like to take away from them. In reality, once we imitate Jesus, we discover that our aspiration to autonomy has always made us bow down before individuals who may not be worse than we are but who are nonetheless bad models because we cannot imitate them without falling with them into the trap of rivalries in which we are ensnarled more and more.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Violence and the Sacred, 1972
He argues that imitating Jesus reveals that our desire for autonomy leads us into rivalries, showing that true freedom involves transcending mimetic competition.
In simple terms: Imitating Jesus shows our autonomy creates rivalry.
Key Takeaway
Recognize mimetic traps.
Themes
theology
philosophy
human nature
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
spiritual
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious practice
- conflict resolution
- personal growth
Key Concepts
mimetic desire
autonomy
spiritual freedom
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies break mimetic cycles?
- What role does forgiveness play?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming rivalry requires communal rituals and forgiveness, not just individual imitation.
