What is the definition of respect for authority?

Answer 1

Authority is bestowed by believers in the institution whether it be political or religious. Each follower creates an understanding of the scope that is allowable. For example, a policeman will not enforce a law that is beyond reason: a direction to shoot anyone driving more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit. Religion can not direct the killing of a non-believer--except in the right wing fundamentalist we have experienced in the last decades. In America, membership in a church or political party is voluntary. The lack of an institution ability to enforce it's decrees will soon lead to it's demise. The time line may be extensive, but over in the end the unreasonable will be overthrown. Remember, an institution that fails to provide the needs (physical, economic, political and spiritual/emotional) of its members will be replaced by one that can. So, authority is limited by expectations compared to results. Of course institutions will use force to maintain its power, but all have fallen eventually.