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A generation of deluded narcissists

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Judith, Jan 8, 2013.

  1. Judith

    Judith Well-Known Member
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    #1 Judith, Jan 8, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 8, 2013
  2. mont974x4

    mont974x4 New Member

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    I read that article earlier. I agree. We are in a sad state, both as the American church and as a nation.
     
  3. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
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  4. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    So the reason that there is lukewarmness in the church is because of Facebook and Twitter and videogames?

    Oh, please.

    These young people described as narcissists have houses full of narcissistic parents and other adults who are just as obsessed with blogs and message boards - endless blogs and message boards just exactly like the BB where one can lie to the world, invent their own persona, and be a leading man/woman in their own play.

    This has nothing to do with young people.

    It has to do with all people - not being held acountable for who they are and where they are going. And it can be seen everywhere - the government, the church, the home, the job, the leisure time, ..... everywhere.

    Jesus told the church of Laodecia that they were neither cold nor hot - I don't think they had Facebook. Their problems went much deeper than superficial relationships.

    Facebook is just a symptom our problem.

     
  5. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Agreed! :thumbs:
     
  6. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    Agreed - I was a preFB deluded narcissist back in the 1960s when I pretended I was Johnny Unitas playing football by myself in my yard.
     
  7. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    Judith, there's a lot of truth in the article. The sad part is that it's becoming multi-generation from the view point of this old timer. Another sad part is that those caught up in it can't (won't) see the growing negative implications.

    In my generation, my parents made it plain that if I was punished at school for misbehaviour, there'd be more punishment to follow at home. Today, in my community and from what I read, far too many parents take the position that their children can do no wrong. How dare teachers, pastors, and others do anything to correct the behaviour of their little angels. Do anything that does not contribute to growth of their sense of self worth (and self importance).

    I know some view this crotchy old geezer as being out of step with the times. Coming from a time where children were taught to be seen, but not heard that isn't valid anymore.

    That said, whether visiting in my home or I am visiting in others, there's something wrong. Wrong when a 7 or 8 year old child, takes center stage, and dominates the conversation. Wrong when visiting children treat my home as their jungle gym. I'd better not say anything (even in my own home) as it could damage that kid's self esteem.

    There's something wrong when a child talks to their parents, to our pastor, with the same smart mouth attitude protrayed by TV sitcom characters of his/her age.

    There's something wrong when young people are rewarded for just showng up, as the article referenced. How can a child grow if they don't experience both the "thrill of victory and the agony of defeat"? If their hard word and dedication is diminished by pats on the backs of those who sat on their duffs, where's the incentive to continue to put forth effort? Further: How can they relate to the agony our Saviour endured, if they are shielded from even simple disappointments, minor failure, and setbacks in life?

    There's something wrong when young people are killing themselves because real life isn't the make-believe world of sitcoms and social media "like" accumulation goals. There's something wrong when every few days or so another news report covers a kid planning to shoot up a school. Children who can't cope, because they are not taught to cope with reality.

    There's something wrong when few young people bother to say thank you anymore. Their self-esteem and self worth have been elevated to the point they are entitled rather than appreciative of efforts made on their behalf.

    There's something wrong when a relative is unhappy with me because I won't join Facebook and "like" them. People really get ticked off when I say I won't enter satan's gated community. :tonofbricks: Sometimes the same ones who urge me to boycott pro-gay marriage business operations. Yet, it's fine that my presence in Facebook helps generate revenue for the same cause, because I can voice approval ("like") their -- whatever they are doing -- there.

    Yes, IMO, this can be seen as membership in the church becomes more and more lukewarm. Me first and Christ first can't happen. It's one or the other. My glory over God's glory seems, far too often, to be winning out in the hearts of people.

    It's sad. :tear: A sad fact of life in these times.
     
  8. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    There are a lot of allegations made in that article while no subjective proof is given. The writer has a theory and a lot of hype. The "tendency toward narcissism is up 30 percent in the past 30 years" is totally unprovable whereas, "this [is the] greatest epidemic... Because it will dwarf the toll of any epidemic we have ever known," is total hype. I suppose the writer thought he was contributing something valuable, however as I see it, he is ironically a victim of the "toxic psychological impact of media and technology...particularly as it regards turning them into faux celebrities."
     
    #8 InTheLight, Jan 9, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 9, 2013
  9. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    As usual shoot the messenger if he is in any way associated with Fox News. In this case Dr. Keith Ablow, presenting information from Jean Twenge, Ph.D. research.
    Another version of the OP by another author from another media outlet.
    Narcissism Epidemic: Why There Are So Many Narcissists Now
    Lindsay Lyon

    This one is more indepth that the OP article, for whatever that's worth in this discussion.

    http://health.usnews.com/health-new...pidemic-why-there-are-so-many-narcissists-now

    InTheLight, in view of the above, can you defend your position that this is all hype? Can you refute the study that backs this assertion with something more than one small study that I ran across, which was deemed to be flawed, and thus revised?
     
  10. mont974x4

    mont974x4 New Member

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    I don't think anyone is blaming FB and Twitter. Clearly they are a symptom. The problem with some symptoms is they can end up being a cause of more symptoms.

    Think of someone with the flu. The scratchy throat can lead to a cough and constant trying to clear the throat. This then leads to a throat that is more aggravated, and aggravated longer.
     
  11. Berean

    Berean Member
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    InTheLight, in view of the above, can you defend your position that this is all hype? Can you refute the study that backs this assertion with something more than one small study that I ran across, which was deemed to be flawed, and thus revised?[/QUOTE]
    This has been the norm of the older generations since Socrates, to criticize the youth who seen to always survive.
     
  12. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    I'll let this sentence answer you for me, from the author you cited in the OP:

    "this [is the] greatest epidemic... Because it will dwarf the toll of any epidemic we have ever known,"

    Narcissism is the greatest epidemic we have ever known. How is that not hype?
     
  13. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
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    Regardless of the Symptoms...

    ...today's church, in general, is quite "Lukewarm!" If you remove the blame from social media mentioned in the article, the facts point to a cooling of the spiritual temperature within most churches today.

    I actively use FB for a ministry link I started. It is not narcissistic, just a great link that has gathered attention from followers and contributors from around the world. The mission of the link is to lift up others by lifting up Jesus.

    If used correctly, FB and other media types can be used to Glorify God.

    I have been concerned about lukewarmness for years, and with many churches ordaining and accepting same-sex folks into ministry opportunities within their denominations, I see a warmness settling upon many more churches failing to hold the line in the sand.
     
  14. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
     
  15. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    Berean
    Are we debating the "norm of older generations" "to criticize" or the validity of a declaration that narcissism has reached epidemic proportions, as defined in a previous reply? Did Socrates and his associates/students debate issues of the day?

    InTheLight
    How often when debating points from the scriptures do we place emphasis on context? Here's some degree of context, since copyright probably forbids copying the article in full.

    Subject: narcissism
    Debate: growth of same and impact on lives/society from this growth. (my choice of words to describe)
    Your position as I understand it: Allegations made without proof - hype.

    Can you site evidence to refute references provided so far?

    Further: http://health.usnews.com/health-new...-why-there-are-so-many-narcissists-now?page=2
    Correct me, if I'm wrong....

    It appears that you are equating this epidemic with viral/bacterial eipdemics that have ravaged mankind over the centures. Using this basis, you are calling a statement about the impact of an epidemic of narcissism "hype".

    The growth of this isn't limited to the population of the United States. There are references to back this up within the links already provided. Further the reprocussions from nacissism reach further into society than "depression", "suicidality", and "homicidality" as noted above. Those are also mentioned in links already provided.

    Considering the population of the world today, compared to the middle ages, for example, what is your evidence, that the sentence in your last reply, is indeed only "hype" -- an allogation without proof?
     
  16. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    The concluding paragraph is pure hype:

    "We had better get a plan together to combat this greatest epidemic as it takes shape. Because it will dwarf the toll of any epidemic we have ever known."

    Now, is narcissism increasing, especially among young people? I'll concede that. But "greatest epidemic ever"? Definitely hype. Consider:

    1. 50 million abortions in the U.S. since Roe v. Wade.

    2. The worldwide AIDS epidemic.

    3. Child abuse

    4. Pedophilia

    5. Mass murders: Newtown, Aurora, Fort Hood, Virginia Tech, Columbine, etc.

    6. Alcoholism

    7. Drug addiction

    8. Gambling addiction

    9. Post traumatic stress disorder, through combat experience, rape, child abuse, etc. is about 8% in the U.S.

    10. Leftists telling us that "it's not fair that rich people have more money than you do".

    Now I invite you to place Narcissism in that list somewhere. Go ahead. Let's see where you would place "the greatest epidemic of all time."
     
  17. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    When you include the role that narcissism can play in each of the items that you listed. Or provide evidence that narcissim isn't a contributing factor. With an indepth analysis, I suspect that you'll find a correlaton between narcissisum and many (most?) of those 10 points. If that proves to be the case, there isn't a single place that narcissism fits within your list.

    Originally you wrote: "There are a lot of allegations made in that article while no subjective proof is given."

    Thank you for conceding that narcissism is increasing among young people.

    That was the original point I was trying to make when first replying to your post. Perhaps we can find enough common ground to move on to the 2nd part of the OP. :flower:
     
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