The Grand Inquisitor

What a remarkable parable. It's so impressive that Dostoevsky, a devout Orthodox Christian himself, is able to so effectively portray the critical opinion of a hyper-analytical atheist through the character of Ivan Karamazov.

The story concerns one question: the divergence between Christ and the Church. Whereas Christ desired a religion of freedom and love, the Church recognized that these are not enough for the desires of the human soul. And so, the Church imbued Christianity with miracle, mystery, and authority, which are what man truly desires. The Church, through the character of the Grand Inquisitor, argued that man cannot live without these. Man does not want God; man wishes for miracles.

Regardless of one's religious beliefs, this is a deeply thought-provoking tale that makes one question the evolution of beliefs and culture. It makes one wonder if the needs of one's own soul are fulfilled.