I would say your results show a different trend: peer pressure. Mega churches seem to be more social than the big catholic ones I used to go to which were very somber places. I think people feel pressure from their peers to be "better Christians." I would say that this is probably what you are seeing. Religion has a way of appealing to our worst deficiencies. Peer pressure is one of those.
Tiffany
· 3 months ago
Max, peer pressure in and of itself is not a bad thing. I was an honors student in high school. There was peer pressure to get good grades. That's positive. Fraternities and the like may impose peer pressure to drink and engage in behaviors that are less than upstanding. That's negative. Peer pressure exists in all venues, groups and cultures, including churches. Let's not pretend that it doesn't. :) Cultural mores are a great example of peer pressure. I would consider peer pressure to be "better Christians" to be a good thing. As a matter of fact, the Bible states that part of being a Christian is to encourage one another. Some may think religion appeals to our worst deficiencies (although that is a decidedly negative view) but it also has a way of uniting people from many different races and backgrounds in a very positive way.
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Some may think religion appeals to our worst deficiencies (although that is a decidedly negative view) but it also has a way of uniting people from many different races and backgrounds in a very positive way.