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THE NARCISSISM OF SMALL DIFFERENCES

This terminology was coined by Sigmund Freud.  He based on one of Ernst Crawley’s early works.  It has since found its way into philosophy, political science, and religious studies to explain specific types of behaviors.   What is this and how does it apply to religion you ask?


Let first look at how this is defined.  It is easiest to define it as the in-fighting between like-minded groups that share similar ideas in order to distinguish themselves.   It was originally proposed as a way to show the difference in individuals, egos, one’s personal goals, and feelings.   It has been applied over time from the individual to groups, organizations, and even beliefs.  This is oversimplified, but it will work for this brief writing.

In the last year, I have experienced and seen this concept of behavior act itself out.  I have always searched for a way to explain it.  Recently a professor from a religious studies program and I were discussing the modern Christian movement and the traditional church.  He brought up this to explain what is causing the friction.

He gave this example: I and him agree on everything in our beliefs except one small but salient point.  Salient to each of us as we disagree on it. Now we are passionate about this small difference.  We both take a stand.  Our ego and our feelings are on the line in our minds.  We both passionately believe we are right and the other is wrong.  At first, it is a gentle ribbing.  But, our egos keep getting offended so it escalates, maybe too polite insults.   It just keeps going from there to the point of heated hatred.   We still agree on everything but that one small point.  We just chose to dig in on that point and was willing to let it rule over everything else, including common sense and willingness to agree to disagree on something small, minor, and not of any consequence compared to all that we agree on.

Now take this to a larger scale, a church or politics.  I am going to use church because politics are way too sensitive at this writing to even use as an example.    Now imagine a church that has a sister church. They both agree on everything in their dogma and rituals.  Then one day a new pastor takes over and one little thing he starts doing differently.  Nothing major.  It does not change anything in the dogma or rituals, but it is different.  Very minor.   The Church members like the change so they share the news or the change.   The other church is offended.   At first, it is quiet mutterings. Then the Pastor starts to bring it up as how their church is now in a better position as they did not make changes.   This escalates and now you have two hostile churches.

This is how reformations happen, how new denominations happen, and how religious wars have started.

Next time you find yourself focused on something minor and fixated on making it a point to argue over, think about this simple but dangerous contextual thinking pattern.