Is Modern Christianity Too Institutional?
 

As a student of religious sociology I have been considering how far in terms of ritualism that modern Christianity is as an institution. What I mean is that we do things without giving thought to what we are doing. We have become acclimated to the ritual of being faithful attendants to church, and even speaking in tongues (to some degree) is ritualized.

Pentecostals in particular are a communal faith, and we often do things in an effort to conform to the community as a whole. For example, when one person speaks in tongues it often sets off a chain reaction of others speaking in tongues. But is it really the Holy Spirit in action, or is it a social demand for conformity within the group? That's just a tiny example. I could highlight others, but that will do.

To what degree is modern Christianity "institutionalized" and to what degree do we do things out of ritual instead of genuine reaction to the presence of the Holy Spirit?

Re: Is Modern Christianity Too Institutional?
 

Have you ever considered that when that One person is speaking in tongues they are feeling something spiritual that the others can also feel?

Re: Is Modern Christianity Too Institutional?
 

Often times that is not the case.

Re: Is Modern Christianity Too Institutional?
 

And you know this how? You have the new ACME spiritual tongues detecto device?

And you go around from church to church testing it?

incredible...just incredible

Re: Is Modern Christianity Too Institutional?
 

I just turned on my ACME "Ignorant Detecto" device so be careful. :throwrock

Re: Is Modern Christianity Too Institutional?
 

There's enough empirical evidence from other noted scholars who have studied Pentecostal groups to indict the Pentecostals as being a religion that relies on communal conformity. I don't have to exhaust myself traveling the nation, when sociologists have already published works from various parts of the country (and the world) that argue my initial point. So...there ya go!

So, in a way, yes, I do have the new ACME spiritual tongues detecto device! Good job, Mr. Watson. :)

Re: Is Modern Christianity Too Institutional?
 

Did you call :nutso

Re: Is Modern Christianity Too Institutional?
 

Yes. This is why when you are in a large congregation such a conference or camp service, "moves of the spirit" moving like waves. The people react to those around them talking in tongues and getting jiggy with it. In fact, the dynamic is exactly LIKE the classic "wave" you see moving around a stadium at a football game.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/...ootbal-007.jpg

Every true move of God I've seen (and Yes, I've seen many) effect the whole congregation -large or small, at the exact same time, and there was/is no doubt of its origin, even for a natural skeptic like me.

Re: Is Modern Christianity Too Institutional?
 

LOL.

at least you are funny. I give you that.

Re: Is Modern Christianity Too Institutional?
 

The issue was not 'communal conformity'. It was your assertion of one particular example of it and you know it. All anyone can do is observe that it happens and not why.

So there YOU go. Those people have no way of detecting these actions are spiritually affected. All they can do is observe it happens and make theories as to why.