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Is conformity bad? Or lesser? Or a sign weakness? Or a sign that one has lost their sense of self? Or self protection? Or a sign of arrogance or blindness? There’s an interesting play between conformity, unity and diversity. Is it better to have a diverse group or one that is unified in purpose? Is it better to conform to a group’s ideals or to strike out on your own? I think people are oriented toward differentness or sameness. Some people want to fit in. Others want to stand out. I also think there’s an interesting “pride” twist to conformity. Does one conform (or refuse to conform) due to pride (e.g. caring what others think or comparing oneself to others)? Or does one conform (or choose not to conform) out of humility (e.g. willingness to bend on issues that don’t do oneself any harm or willingness to choose not to bend to protect those who might feel like outsiders)?
At the end of the day, I don’t think conformity is the issue, but forcing others to conform is (or ostracizing them if they don’t). I also think refusing to conform or conforming could be an issue, depending on your personal motivation. It’s also such an “outer vessel” thing – the Lord looketh on the heart, but your fellow members only see what you are doing on the outside and they interpret it without knowing what’s in your heart. You have to get to the point where that’s OK.
I think it can be viewed like we are physically — we all have two hands, legs, etc…but slightly different genetics. Kinda like we must have conformity for safety driving in traffic, but we can have slightly different models of cars. I might like to read a lot, and you might prefer to play sports. Certain conforming traits should be taught to allow safety and uniformity, but different interests encouraged, as long as each doesn’t interfere with another’s ability to enjoy theirs.
I think at this point, there is a bit too much emphasis in the church to homogenize. I think it is a natural evolution of any organization for survival to teach conformity, but once there is confidence that the group will survive with diversity, the rules are relaxed and differences celebrated. I think we are getting there….
slowly.
I agree with hawk and Rix. I would add that I don’t know that I would label it as “good” or “bad” per se. I am reminded of the legendary song by the The Byrds. “To every thing, turn, turn, turn, there is a season, turn, turn, turn. And a time to every purpose under heaven.” Sometimes it’s better to conform, other times it’s not. To illustrate. I am a software engineer. The best way to write good software is to have a rigid set of rules, and behaviors that dictate how the code is written, even down to the style the developer uses. If this is not followed, the software will likely quickly become very difficult to maintain, it might break, and become unpredictable (not a good quality for software). OTOH, if the goal in a particular software engineering company is to develop new and interesting ways of solving problems, algorithmically, then conformity would stifle innovation.
Although I lean toward non-conformity on a personal level, I accept that there are times when I need to “work within the system” so to speak.
In my mind, it’s a question of intent. Why am I conforming? That, of course, is why people use conformity to judge others. It’s an easy way to presume intent of another. IMHO… Conformity in a group is more effective if you want to accomplish an objective as a group.
Diversity in a group is better if you want to innovate or develop a solution to a difficult new problem.
On a personal level, it all depends on the person, I think. Conformity is very, very practical. There is nothing magically “true” or not true about conformity. I can’t really say it is bad to conform any more than I can say with conviction that it is bad to be different.
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