Trev Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 I'm a quiet, bookish, loner type person generally, not really the sort of person who wears their heart on their sleeve. When I was a Christian I was not really one to put my hands in the air, pray in tongues, or dance in the aisles. It has only recently struck me that this might have been a contributing factor in other Christians alleging I was 'holding something back', 'having problems with unresolved sin', 'lacking in accountability', and 'not showing any signs of spiritual development', to pick a few cliches out of many more. I felt really moralized because of that. Is this a thing with Christians in general or just my experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dhampir Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Always seemed to me that if the spirit wanted to sweep you up, it wouldn't matter what your personality was. I guess my being the same as you was at least part of why I could never really get into all the praise and worship stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonolithTMA Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Most churches I attended were a mixture and no one was expected to raise their hands in the air, some did, some did not. I only got accused of holding back some secret sin after I de-converted and those accusations came from total strangers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpa Harley Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Why do Christians think their armpits are worth sharing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knitterman Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Why do Christians think their armpits are worth sharing? 1. Church ran out of incense? 2. Hidden Cornrows are "in"? 3. They believe there are hidden cameras for a new Degree commercial being filmed in church? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator florduh Posted April 3, 2008 Super Moderator Share Posted April 3, 2008 Another church would welcome your reserved behavior, as they consider the hand waving, etc., emotional and showing off (my old church). My father's old church would think you were lacking in the Spirit. Regardless of what they might say, each Christian "knows" he has the proper understanding of the Word, and if you don't think as he does, you are lacking somehow. - Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vendredie Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Only one of my churches ever had the hands-in-the-air types, and that was the community church. I don't recall anyone doing that at any other church. But the community church didn't really have any problem with people not waving their hands in the air. Which is a good thing, since I too am quiet and reserved and a little embarassed to do stuff like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white_raven23 Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 This is not just a religious phenomenon. It's a full blown social one. http://briankim.net/blog/2007/10/top-5-thi...out-introverts/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Captain Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 This is not just a religious phenomenon. It's a full blown social one. http://briankim.net/blog/2007/10/top-5-thi...out-introverts/ We introverts should get a copy of that book to everyone in the world.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthOkkata Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Just be glad you weren't Roman Catholic then. That sort of behavior is the norm for them. Especially at services, it's an ordered affair where you're supposed to shut up, sing badly, and sit and stand with everyone else. The scary thing is, it actually seems like a conditioning exercise. You'd almost expect someone with a German accent to stand up and bark orders before anyone was allowed to move. "Now is the time for standing! Everyone stand now! Up! Up! Standing now!" You might not have noticed something was wrong and still be stuck there. I'm quiet and bookish for the most part as well. I tend to ask a lot of questions when something doesn't make sense. They didn't like it much, but I never really cared much. I'm afraid any religion has a thing about conformity. I've yet to find one that doesn't. They all have their own reimagining of the 'Blond Haired Blue Eyed Arian Male' perfect worshiper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev Posted April 4, 2008 Author Share Posted April 4, 2008 Why do Christians think their armpits are worth sharing? 1. Church ran out of incense? 2. Hidden Cornrows are "in"? 3. They believe there are hidden cameras for a new Degree commercial being filmed in church? lmao Regardless of what they might say, each Christian "knows" he has the proper understanding of the Word, and if you don't think as he does, you are lacking somehow. I think that's very well put Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest worthynow Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Always seemed to me that if the spirit wanted to sweep you up, it wouldn't matter what your personality was. I guess my being the same as you was at least part of why I could never really get into all the praise and worship stuff. For sure! I use to think something was wrong with me when I could not get into praise and worship. It was always like brother bob or sister sue that acted the same every week. I just could not be a fake and who would want that kind of attention anyway. It always seemed that the leadership had to work the crowd up in some sort of a frenzy for them to respond. Of course this looked better for the Pastor and the church. I was called "not spiritual enough" because I did not jump up and down everytime, shout, or raise my hands. It's almost so silly that Christians judge you for this sort of thing. I mean their where people in church that would speak and shout in tongues and be hooked on porn too. Bwahahaha. I always hated when a Pastor would say,"everyone raise their hands now and praise the Lord." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vigile Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 This is not just a religious phenomenon. It's a full blown social one. http://briankim.net/blog/2007/10/top-5-thi...out-introverts/ From that list you could probably make the argument that many introverts are generally smarter than many extroverts. Since extroverts tend to do better not only socially, but politically it is extroverts who are elected our leaders and promoted as our managers, it might be argued that the less competant are left in control while those who could offer very valuable contributions are shoved by the wayside. Interesting why corporations at least aren't grabbing on to this and hiring consultants to help them improve on their promotion strategies. As far as politics goes, introverts are never going to make it in the democratic arena. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike D Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 It has only recently struck me that this might have been a contributing factor in other Christians alleging I was 'holding something back' I wasn't an Attention Whore For Jesus either. I think I have some underlying type-A personality traits, but more often than not I appear more reserved and quiet, mainly because I observe things. So, when I should have been waving my hands and screamin', jumpin' and shoutin' for the lard, I was usually watching everyone else to try and figure out wtf was going on. Since I was a pentecostal there are definitely those who will tell you that if you are not "on fire" for Jesus, then you're probably not a True Christian . One guy at a youth rally I went to said that if you are spirit filled your personality should change because you are a new creation in Jesus. So I guess the louder and more obnoxious you were was considered evidence that you were "drunk in the spirit". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hereticzero Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Have you ever tried to stay seated when everyone else jumps up to sing or pray and notice all the stares you get for not standing up? People frown because they have no spirit for self-determination. Everyone does the same thing, that is what makes the brain washed feel safe is knowing what is going to happen next. Predictability is what Christians like in a service. They like to think everyone is controlled by the holy spirit but in reality there is nothing that guides them except control over those attending the service. In one church I went to, if you raised your hands in worship, people would come around and pull your hands down. I did not go back after that visit and deconverted shortly afterwards. Get your own spirit moving by: Try speaking in Klingon when everyone starts speaking in tongues. When they ask for a 'testimony' tell them how Mr. Frodo and Sam saved the world by destroying 'the one ring'. When the priest hands you the wafer at Sacrament, hand him a condom in return and say 'thanks' for the wafer. When the bishop wears his miter, ask him what benihana he works at. When the offering plate is passed, grab a hand full--that is what the offering was originally intended for, to pass the hat for those in need, so if you are in need of cash, take what you want--it is not stealing if it is OFFERED to you. If you are not that brave, toss in a large bill and take out change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWIM Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 My grandmother used to "speak in tonges" around her house, almost allways when she had an "audience" too. LOL The fakest part of that, was the actual words. "Oh shalala ma kaa, ohhhh shala maa kha!!!". She would get really mad when I laughed at her... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 It is not just you. I've noticed that Christianity has a tendency to moralize extroversion and wanting to be around people, especially family members. They don't understand that being around other people drains us introverts physically. Also, the religious meme survives by extroversion. If everyone kept to themselves, and never told anyone about it, it would die. So it's not a complete surprise that introversion is seen by Christians as immoral and why, to this day, society in general still looks down on introverts. I have read recently that there is scientific evidence now that introversion and extroversion are genetic in nature. It is just one more genetic trait that Christians have moralized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gradstu09 Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 I never felt a sense of community from Catholicism like you are told you are supposed to. Of course, in my younger days, I deduced from this that god was calling me to be a hermit! But yeah. I was definitely made to feel as though there was something wrong with me that I didn't like to sing or hold hands during the Our Father, and all that social stuff that is supposed to make you feel all warm and loved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthOkkata Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 It is not just you. I've noticed that Christianity has a tendency to moralize extroversion and wanting to be around people, especially family members. They don't understand that being around other people drains us introverts physically. Also, the religious meme survives by extroversion. If everyone kept to themselves, and never told anyone about it, it would die. So it's not a complete surprise that introversion is seen by Christians as immoral and why, to this day, society in general still looks down on introverts. I have read recently that there is scientific evidence now that introversion and extroversion are genetic in nature. It is just one more genetic trait that Christians have moralized. I'm pretty sure it's not an accident. Extroverts attract new members to the crowd. Introverts, such as myself, tend to be very unhappy and annoyed when put into such a position. It makes us sarcastic. It was like being mildly annoyed the whole time, any time I had to go somewhere associated with church. The church is like the Blob, the more it eats, the bigger it gets, the bigger it gets, the more it eats. It's why Church is an extrovert factory. Services were boring, but stuck in a room full of children my own age, who can't think beyond asking me about why my jacket had a large B on the back, irritating me from every angle. It was never an interesting conversation, and usually amounted to telling each other how much we love jesus every two or three sentences. Sometimes, one of them would have breast, and it wasn't so bad. "Happy-Happy!" "Joy-Joy!" "Happy-Happy!" The extroverts must be stopped! I suppose the best I could do is download the Revenge of the Nerds movies... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev Posted April 5, 2008 Author Share Posted April 5, 2008 It was like being mildly annoyed the whole time, any time I had to go somewhere associated with church. Yes, me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kozimoto Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 It is not just you. I've noticed that Christianity has a tendency to moralize extroversion and wanting to be around people, especially family members. They don't understand that being around other people drains us introverts physically. Also, the religious meme survives by extroversion. If everyone kept to themselves, and never told anyone about it, it would die. So it's not a complete surprise that introversion is seen by Christians as immoral and why, to this day, society in general still looks down on introverts. I have read recently that there is scientific evidence now that introversion and extroversion are genetic in nature. It is just one more genetic trait that Christians have moralized. I agree! I said to my husband a few days ago that I think I had the wrong personality to be a (bible-thumping, evangelical) christian. Maybe I would have lasted longer in a reflective Anglican church or something. It seems to me that xianity glorifies the opinionated, loud, in-your-face kind of person, as this personality is more likely to challenge others, and thus "spread the word". How else can you explain their love affair the the apostle Paul and all those other bigots? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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