However, ideally, we shouldn't need a social group of peers to lean on and help us stand by our convictions if we had a society that was mentally healthy and didn't suffer from said conditions. We could all think and be strong in our convictions and be truly individuals...but that would be a perfect world.
Idk if that's totally true. Human beings are social creatures and it isnt a sign of weakness to want to belong to a group. Independence to the point of being a hermit isnt necessarily a sign of strength so much as social retardation.
It's good to be able to take care of yourself even in emergencies, but we shouldnt strive to be so far removed that we are unable to group with others even when it would be beneficial. That is to say, isolation for isolation's sake isn't a virtue.
I think one useful thing about religion is it generally weaponizes this aspect into group shame about things that are harmful to the collective good. As a society largely untethered from religious constraints, we are seeing firsthand the results of a pride-based culture.
And what we're reaping is dysfunctional marriages, broken families, public debauchery, rampant pornography, and a pandemic of sex trafficking to meet the demand caused by everyone pursuing their own gratification.
In my opinion, things were better when people would be ashamed to pursue these things because their peers would reject them.
Great reply! Thanks for the balanced and thoughtful perspective...I agree...definitely don't want to be too dogmatic in individuality...we are people created in God's image and we do need each other desperately!
However, ideally, we shouldn't need a social group of peers to lean on and help us stand by our convictions if we had a society that was mentally healthy and didn't suffer from said conditions. We could all think and be strong in our convictions and be truly individuals...but that would be a perfect world.
Idk if that's totally true. Human beings are social creatures and it isnt a sign of weakness to want to belong to a group. Independence to the point of being a hermit isnt necessarily a sign of strength so much as social retardation. It's good to be able to take care of yourself even in emergencies, but we shouldnt strive to be so far removed that we are unable to group with others even when it would be beneficial. That is to say, isolation for isolation's sake isn't a virtue.
I think one useful thing about religion is it generally weaponizes this aspect into group shame about things that are harmful to the collective good. As a society largely untethered from religious constraints, we are seeing firsthand the results of a pride-based culture.
And what we're reaping is dysfunctional marriages, broken families, public debauchery, rampant pornography, and a pandemic of sex trafficking to meet the demand caused by everyone pursuing their own gratification.
In my opinion, things were better when people would be ashamed to pursue these things because their peers would reject them.
Great reply! Thanks for the balanced and thoughtful perspective...I agree...definitely don't want to be too dogmatic in individuality...we are people created in God's image and we do need each other desperately!