By definition, “Conformity” is stated to be, “A type of social influence in which individuals change their attitudes or behavior to adhere to existing social norms.” Social influence is everywhere. When we turn on the television, influence is there. While driving down roads and passing billboards, we too are being socially influenced. Even in catching the tail of a drive-by conversation walking down the street, our minds are constantly under the influence of social conformity. Everyone wants someone to conform to something. Even in our churches conformity can be found in its purest definition. Not all conformity is bad - nor is it all malicious. Conformity can be for the better. Like conforming to a life that models that of Christ, would be an example of positive conforming. However, one cannot deny the reality of constant pressures meant to seduce us into conforming by evil, into dastardly people. When it comes down to faith and religion, the very essence of one’s spiritual being is based solely on the very existence of conformity as a principle – whether it be for the good or the demise of one’s spiritual life.
After psychoanalyzing conformity that takes place inside the realm of religion, I have discovered that one can conform in 1 of 4 ways – from bad to good; from good to bad; from good to better; and from bad to worst.
Whenever we think about church, we tend to depict in our minds a place where all can come clean, and be forgiving for transgressions committed throughout the week’s days - though this does not have to be done solely in the confines of a physical church. And with that, we are given the chance to live a life saved by the Blood of Jesus, though our sins may drip as exuberant as a cherry red Fire Truck. In this “rebirthing” process from sinner to saint, conformity is made from the evil to the righteous – from the bad to the good.
However,
just as the enemy would have it, with every saint saved, there is another saint who falls by the wayside. More commonly seen in the youth of the church, religious principle(s) may at times, conflict with that of the socially accepted – creating the all popular battle of church vs. popular propaganda. Many times,
the youth feels torn between the decision of what is “right”, and what is “accepted”, amongst outside circles and peers. Young people who have “grown up” in the church, all too frequently find themselves in this predicament - conditioning them to rebel against their norm, in attempt to rid of their
“church persona”, to justify their place in
“Pop Society.” Here is where you find the compromise. It is here where the conformity from good to bad takes occurrence – the transition from good Christian, to compromising, leading to bad decisions.
Conforming will often times lead a person down a road resulting in the swinging of one extreme to another. However, on the inverse,
one can also go from one extreme, and simply conform to a further extremity in the same extreme all together. Instead of conforming to society’s influence of pop society, one can further conform into Christ - leading to a richer and more meaning full relationship. But on the other hand, instead of turning and repenting from wicked ways, that will ultimately seal our eternal destruction, one can further become cohesive in their addiction to sinful lust – further plunging them into the depths of obsolete living.
All four ways of conforming inside the walls of church or religion, can be seen in almost any faith. It does not take a Ph.D. in psychology to see that
we as people have needs and insecurities that find themselves being messaged by social influences, that makes us feel valid and relevant in our own respective social stratus.
Conformity can be for the better. Like conforming to a life that models that of Christ, people can conform into whole and new creatures. However, the reality of constant pressures meant to seduce us into conforming into dirty and malicious people, is very real and present as well. When it comes down to faith and religion, the very essence of one’s spiritual being is based solely on the very existence of conformity as a principle – whether it be for the good or the demise of one’s spiritual life. This is something that none of us can change. The Bible says that “By beholding we shall become changed.” So conformity is inevitable. Nobody can live a life without beholding anything. The question then just becomes, to what are you conforming into?
And at what cost are you paying for your transformation? ___X
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