Many church groups have a separatist ideology, meaning to be separate not just from the world but actually also from the rest of christianity. For me it seems that this very separatist ideology is what keeps these groups knitted together. It provides the validating experience of being special.
Just one resource suggested: 30 verses on being separate 30 Powerful bible verses about separation (Full Commentary) - Bible Study For You
Given that example the JW are very much in the spotlight at the moment, being a prime example of a group with a separatist ideas, and perhaps you can fill in with other groups. What are your thoughts?
I do not like coffee. I guess that separates me from others.
Jesus calls us out of the world, and into unity in Him (and with fellow members of His body, the church).
I have always been a sort of separatist by nature. When I first registered to vote, I registered as an “Independent” and though I am now a registered Libertarian, I do not vote for any “L” just because they are a member of the group I freely associate. Many Democrats “vote blue no matter who.” Many Republicans will call you a “RINO” or a “Liberal” if you don’t support their current war or agenda.
I also tend to not want to see movies or shows or like bands that are overly popular at any moment in time. But, as their popularity begins to dwindle, I will give them a watch or a listen and decide for myself if I think it is good or if it was over-hyped. Sometimes I agree, and understand, what many found so appealing and other times, I’m glad I did not ride the wave.
Anyway, fun topic to think about. Separatism. Are we or aren’t we?
Honestly, I’m pro-unity. There’s been so much division going on for so long, let’s unite for once. Why should we seperate ourselves from anyone? We’re the hueman race right? And that means, doesn’t matter what your skin color is, background is, the color of your eyes, etc… We’re all a part of the same race. This isn’t hard for some animals, why does it have to be hard for us? Why can’t we show that same love and compassion for others? We’re more similar than most would think. Let’s stop dividing people based on anything and let’s unite for a common cause for once.
I also tend not to follow into secular popularism. When I see something which is secular, and there’s a popularity behind it, I withdraw from it until I can analyze it without bias.
For example, I’m an Amazon Prime member and use Prime Video as a source of media entertainment. There’s a “Top 10 movies in the US” category, at the top of the Movies list. It’s a “trending” list. Typically I don’t scroll beyond the top 5 (which fit my computer screen). I look for older films (2010 to 2020 range) which may not be popular today, but may of have been 10 years ago. One of the recent movies that I really like is The Texas Killing Fields, released in 2011. Though not Catholic nor Christian in theme, the story follows moral preferences which I adhere to … justice and charity.
Something doesn’t have to be labeled “Christian” or “Catholic” for me to find goodness in it. But I’d suppose I’ll be a “separatist” with secularism, but not with those things regarding the Church’s agenda. I’ve never really seen anything “popular” in our Church because what we follow are norms and doctrine that reach back 2000 years.
I’m a Traditionalist rather than a Popularist in matters of faith and morals.
" Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect." (NRSV-CE)
So YES, be a separatist. Do not be conformed to this world…
Yes, you can tell a man by the company he keeps. If you hang with drunkards, you will become a drunkard. If you remain with saintly persons, you become saintly. If you watch The Simpsons on TV, you become like the Simposons. Association is a very important principle, especially for us who are neophyte devotees of the church. If one is very advanced in his walk with Jesus, he can go even to a house of prostitution…to preach. But if he is not advanced, this is not recommended…as he may end up in bed.
So this separatist idea is for those who are very sincere. The monks in the monastery are separate from the whole world. But they are engaged in daily prayer.
At the same time, although we fellowship with those who are devout, it is not our place to be hateful of others who are not. Jesus came to us with a heart filled with love an compassion, even though we are not advanced in our cultivation of love of God. He wants that we have this love for each other. And this love is expressed by preaching his word…not with pride, but with humility.
Thanks. Interesting, that no-one actually went into the topic of the Jehova-Witnesses culture. I guess the catholic church is just large, and at the same time able to keep the bond of unity. My own experience contains more of a gallery of different impressions, having not grown up knowing Christ or his Church, but being drawn to christianity, I have spent time checking out different groups.
So in the catholic church it is “separatism under authority” (of the pope and local bishop), but in the protestant sphere it is more like little autonomous groups with no formal overseer. I think the form of separatism I am used to seeing, is in the form of a common understanding that “we are special”, perhaps even specially called by God to this special group. Often there is the understanding that “we have the truth” (more than others). Btw interesting to note that internally, JW’s talk about “being in the truth” when one is in good standing with the watchtower organisation.
