A Narcissistic Society and Religion

by Stephen Harper

I have been reading, when time allows, “The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement,” and it is eye-opening and also something that has validated many of my own observations over the last couple of decades. I am sharing with you a paragraph regarding its effect on churches and religion in general:

“Originally, religions could enforce narcissism-reducing practices because they didn’t have to compete for adherents: if you were born into a religion, you usually stayed. Now, however, people can select the religion that works for them — often the one that offers the most benefits with the least pain. To complete, religions have to give people what they want. Because reducing narcissism is not always pleasant, most people are not going to attend churches that demand humility.”

First, yes, following what your parents did is not faith but merely habit or tradition. Second, “competing” for members or adherents sounds more like a business than a soul-saving organization. But the lines about giving the people what they want and no one wanting a church that demands humility is, unfortunately, the sad state of our American society.

We who are disciples/believers/Christians must be distinctly different from society, and the true church must not change its message to please the audience or society.

God’s word says plainly, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6) and, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10). Jesus also demands of His people, “love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12), and revealed to us that it is “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

Love and humility are, to God, far more significant than egotism and an attitude of entitlement.