Remember that classic, The Sound of Music? It is the story of the Von Trapp family based (loosely) on a true story. One of the main characters, of course, is Captain Von Trapp, the father of the family. As the story progresses, the captain is ordered to join the German navy. The captain is so repulsed by the Nazis that he refuses, choosing instead to take his family and flee his beloved Austria. The man had character. There were other characters in the story as well. Remember Rolfe? He was a good kid and, according to the duet he sang as he wooed the eldest daughter, Liesl, "older and wiser". That's why it comes as quite a shock when, at the end of the story, Rolfe is part of the Nazi organization, even attempting to prevent the Von Trapps from escaping.
It begs the question. What is it that makes a person join? Now, Rolfe is a fictional character, so asking why he joined and why the captain did not would be futile. Still, I often wonder. What makes people join ... whatever? Why do kids join gangs? Why do people join PETA or other such organizations? Why do some join the Young Republicans? And let's be fair ... why do some join the church? I think that there are multiple answers, and the "why" makes a big difference.
The most obvious reason to join a group -- any group -- would be ideology. You like what they are saying, you deem it a worthy cause, so you join in the effort. It's a good reason. I would argue, however, that it's not likely the most common reason. I don't think, for instance, that the Hitler Youth organization was populated by young, eager kids dedicated to the Nazi cause. I would expect that, instead, they became dedicated to the cause long after they were indoctrinated by being in the group. So what would be the more common reasons?
If you visit the Young Republicans website, they'll offer you a reason to join. "Join the future of the REPUBLICAN MAJORITY!" I would guess that this would be an extremely common reason to join a group. It's not that the ideology is sound or the cause is such a good one. It's that it's good to be part of a group ... preferably a group with power. I suppose that's the more likely reason, isn't it? Power? People often feel powerless as individuals, but as a group they have power! Join the crowd, you see, because there is strength in numbers. And if your particular group starts to lose power, perhaps it's time to move to a new group. Young people join gangs for power. They certainly like the strength in numbers (as opposed to the extreme vulnerability of being outside and alone). It certainly is not the ideology of gangs that draws them. It's the power. I remember the story of a young man who was chased by a group of thugs. He was a runner, and as he ran the pursuers began to drop out. Finally he took a wrong turn and ended up in a dead-end alley, cornered. As he turned to face his pursuers, he found only one remained. This one looked around, saw none of his compatriots, shrugged, and walked away. You see, it wasn't that getting this guy was important. It was the power of being in a group.
For many, just being part of something is a large draw. It is, I'm quite sure, a common reason for the large numbers of attendees at mega-churches. They get to be part of something big. Even smaller churches have this draw. They have the potential of making you feel like you're part of a family. If you've felt like you're "outside" and alone somehow, this has a warm impact on a person. These folks may not go their churches because they are in agreement with the content, but because they want to be part of something. Some families go to church because the parents think, "It's good for my kids to have some good moral guidance", not because they think, "This stuff is true." Membership, you see, has its benefits.
Or look at it from this direction. Why do people join the military (as an example)? Well, the media and politicians would have us believe that the only reason there are people in the military is because they're poor, destitute, stupid people in need of work. That's a reason, I suppose. I joined because I wanted some job training. Others joined because they wanted to see the world on the government's dime. Some joined because it was cool to be in the military -- you know ... power, strength in numbers, part of something. I knew one guy who joined because he wanted to kill legally. Pat Tillman joined because he believed in the cause. There are lots of reasons to join, and believing in the ideology is only one.
There are two sides to this coin, when all is said and done. On one side, it is perhaps unwarranted to conclude that because someone is part of a particular group they are dedicated to the ideology of that group. There are far too many more popular reasons to join something than simple agreement with ideology. So before you go judging Rolfe (as a fictional example), remember that he more likely succumbed to other pressures rather than being convinced by Nazi beliefs. On the other hand (since I am primarily concerned about matters of Christianity), this is a problem for church-goers. You need to ask yourself, "Just because I go to church, does it mean that I am a Christian?" Church attendance doesn't achieve this. Even regular attendance isn't sufficient. Even ardent involvement doesn't do the trick. Remember the false believers who, at the final judgment, said to Jesus, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" (Matt 7:22). Jesus rejects them. No, only one thing gets you to being an actual Christian. That is admission of guilt and faith in Christ as your sole source of salvation.
Membership does have its benefits. We need to be careful that we aren't relying on membership and its benefits as our means to salvation. Remember, most people don't join because they believe. They join because of the benefits. So ... if you consider yourself a Christian, why are you allied with Christ? Is it for the strength of numbers, the feeling of being part, even the notion of being loved and saved? Or is it because you are placing your sole trust in Him? It will make an eternal difference.
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