Charismatic Sugar High
On my way back home this morning from Georgetown I heard a report on the CBC about the Charismatic movement and it's popularity in Africa. Although old-news to me, seeing as how the Charismatic movement has been the leading movment for I don't know how long, it did get me thinking about it agian. I do like the fact that it has a strong emphasis on the Holy Spirit which is often neglected or brushed off in other traditions. I'm a strong believer that the Holy Spirit can make itself know and can work in peoples lives. (I've spoken in tounges once and could understand a person beside me who was speaking in tounges and was once overcome with profound joy - I'm as surprised as you. What the heck, I'm a Reformed type of girl.) As well, the fact that it is less imperialistic is also nice, ie. generally more accepting of its members and allows for cultural incorporation. It also allows for movement and verbal expressions of joy/worship, both wonderful ways to come before your creator.
BUT.....
Within the North American branches that I have attended or read about, as a generalization, it seems a little theatrical. Perhaps an unfair judgement but I make it none the less. Emphasis is put no longer on the worship of the spirit rather on the actualization of the Spirit. People seem to only get excited with manifestation. I also suggest it's a worship of our senses. We see this within the secular world as ad campaigns bombard us with visuals, audios, and even aromas. Not to mention the "free samples", found at any Costco or various supermarket, that even attack our taste. Our culture is drawn to anything that appeals to our senses, perhaps as a way to feel something other than the hum-drum of cultural life or as a way to escape it. The way to hook a person is to appeal to their senses and unfortunatly there is an euphoric "high" that goes along with many Charismatic services that draws people in only for that reason. Although there is temporary relief from what ever might be ailing them, the root of the problem doesn't seem to be fixed. People return to these services looking for that "high" and their goal is no longer to grow closer to God, it's to feel better.
BUT.....
Within the North American branches that I have attended or read about, as a generalization, it seems a little theatrical. Perhaps an unfair judgement but I make it none the less. Emphasis is put no longer on the worship of the spirit rather on the actualization of the Spirit. People seem to only get excited with manifestation. I also suggest it's a worship of our senses. We see this within the secular world as ad campaigns bombard us with visuals, audios, and even aromas. Not to mention the "free samples", found at any Costco or various supermarket, that even attack our taste. Our culture is drawn to anything that appeals to our senses, perhaps as a way to feel something other than the hum-drum of cultural life or as a way to escape it. The way to hook a person is to appeal to their senses and unfortunatly there is an euphoric "high" that goes along with many Charismatic services that draws people in only for that reason. Although there is temporary relief from what ever might be ailing them, the root of the problem doesn't seem to be fixed. People return to these services looking for that "high" and their goal is no longer to grow closer to God, it's to feel better.
posted by June-Star at 7:36 AM
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