This terminology was coined by Sigmund Freud. He based on one of Ernst Crawley’s early works. It has since found its way into philosophy, political science, and religious studies to explain specific types of behaviors. What is this and how does it apply to religion you ask?
Let first look at how this is defined. It is easiest to define it as the in-fighting
between like-minded groups that share similar ideas in order to distinguish
themselves. It was originally proposed
as a way to show the difference in individuals, egos, one’s personal goals, and
feelings. It has been applied over time
from the individual to groups, organizations, and even beliefs. This is oversimplified, but it will work for
this brief writing.
In the last year, I have experienced and seen this concept
of behavior act itself out. I have
always searched for a way to explain it.
Recently a professor from a religious studies program and I were
discussing the modern Christian movement and the traditional church. He brought up this to explain what is causing
the friction.
He gave this example: I and him agree on everything in our
beliefs except one small but salient point.
Salient to each of us as we disagree on it. Now we are passionate about
this small difference. We both take a
stand. Our ego and our feelings are on
the line in our minds. We both
passionately believe we are right and the other is wrong. At first, it is a gentle ribbing. But, our egos keep getting offended so it
escalates, maybe too polite insults. It
just keeps going from there to the point of heated hatred. We
still agree on everything but that one small point. We just chose to dig in on that point and was
willing to let it rule over everything else, including common sense and
willingness to agree to disagree on something small, minor, and not of any
consequence compared to all that we agree on.
Now take this to a larger scale, a church or politics. I am going to use church because politics are
way too sensitive at this writing to even use as an example. Now imagine a church that has a sister church.
They both agree on everything in their dogma and rituals. Then one day a new pastor takes over and one
little thing he starts doing differently.
Nothing major. It does not change
anything in the dogma or rituals, but it is different. Very minor.
The Church members like the change so they share the news or the
change. The other church is
offended. At first, it is quiet mutterings. Then the
Pastor starts to bring it up as how their church is now in a better position as
they did not make changes. This escalates
and now you have two hostile churches.
This is how reformations happen, how new denominations
happen, and how religious wars have started.
Next time you find yourself focused on something minor and
fixated on making it a point to argue over, think about this simple but dangerous
contextual thinking pattern.
