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Individualism doesn’t mesh well with Christianity
In America, we value the individual. Individualism is a core principle of American idealism. We proclaim a message of rugged individualism. We value individual freedom and personal choices. We praise the individuals who have overcome great odds and succeed (however that is defined). We like to think that when someone does something wrong, that it is just the individual that is to blame — we don’t buy into the notion that there may be larger systemic issues at play. This belief in the individual has deep roots in America and permeates much of our culture.
Even parts of Christianity in America have adopted this core principle. The more fundamentalist and evangelical branches of American Christianity talk more about the personal relationship with Jesus than anything else. It’s about saying the sinners’ prayer and turning your life over to Jesus. It’s all about you and Jesus. Your personal piety and private faith.
Individualism comes with two seemingly opposing definitions
- The habit or principle of being independent and self-reliant.
- Self-centered feeling or conduct; egoism.
(Source: https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/individualism)
Individualism can be healthy. But like most things, it’s not an all or nothing thing. Too much Individualism pushes us into the realm of narcissism.
We shouldn’t be completely independent. That’s not actually possible either. We need other people…
