Does Catholicism have a higher proportion of introverts and the like?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RCIAGraduate
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

RCIAGraduate

Guest
Such as people who are more like loners, lone wolf types or simply folks who prefer solitude and silence (preferably in a solitary manner)? Could this help explain why some parishes aren’t exactly known for their fellowship, community and hospitality (pardon if the question comes across as offensive, it’s something I thought of right now and I realized, how offensive it could (probably does) come across? That also said, do you think Catholicism is also a boon for those types of persons because we offer the spirituality of religious like that of the hermits and contemplatives (I’m oversimplifying/caricaturing monastic traditions and spirituality aren’t I?) that could be compatible to their dispositions and temperaments because of a emphasis on the interior life and forms of worship that are more attuned to their flavor (something more “peaceful” and “quiet” for them so to speak)? Pardon if I am offending anyone.

Do you think certain religions, faiths and denomination communities attract people with a certain personality? Or is it more of who runs the community or the combination of personalities that determines which communities attracts which people?
 
Last edited:
Very interesting question, especially when considering how many of the non-Catholic denominations seem to go out of their way to be welcoming, social, and ( perhaps sometimes a bit overly?) hospitable to try to attract converts. The nature of the Catholic Mass and the most holy Eucharist is very solemn and reflective, though, whereby non-Catholic denominations don’t have that aspect because they don’t have the unequaled benefit of the actual consecration of the Body of Blood of Christ. Perhaps some non-Catholic Christians prefer more of the social and “fun” aspect, and this in turn draws more extrovert-types to them who may not wish to think about the solemn responsibilities of the Catholic Church which include Reconciliation and the other Holy Sacraments. I sometimes get the feeling when observing non-Catholic Christians that they like to shout for joy about how they’ll all go the Heaven because they’re “believers,” so perhaps there’s no need to get too serious or reflective about all of what Jesus actually instructed, including the parts requiring more “work” and dedication which may not be “fun.”

I’ve noticed that the Catholic churches in my area have definitely made more of an effort to be welcoming and also hold more “social” activities, but shy Catholics aren’t made to feel shunned if they don’t participate in some of the gatherings. Perhaps another thought could be that many introverts prefer individualized intellectual pursuits and like to delve deeply into scripture and all parts of the Bible, including the parts that non-Catholics have chosen to omit from their studies out of convenience through the ages.
 
Holy Mother Church draws all kinds of people to herself. While there certainly is a Catholic worldview, I don’t think there is a Catholic personality type. It attracts truth-seekers.

Super interesting question! I’m still thinking on it.
 
Catholicism is Truth and Beauty. People are drawn in, as fishes caught in a net. (Sometimes we think we need to be going out and acting as spear-fishers of men).

Once they experience the Truth and Beauty, they will find many faucets of Spirituality. We are literally the original “big tent”.

I’ve found that local parishes, for the most part, are as social as you want them to be. Social butterflies will flock with the other social butterflies. Introverts know that they will not be pressured. Beauty!
 
I can only speak from my own experience and I have found that my fellow parishioners are on the whole quiet reflective types who tend to slight introversion but I would point out that that observation could well be erroneous. I say that because how they behave befits the occasion, ie mass!

We have social occassions infrequently and they are pretty ‘normal’ during those. I don’t know of any extrovert Catholics however. I think it goes with the territory.
 
For other sects, the social aspect of communal worship is central. Church attendance is not “mandatory” in a strict sense, and they don’t (for the most part) have a sacramental theology, so if you don’t really feel like you want fellowship, you can stay home and nobody is going to bug you about it. There are lots and lots of Protestants who never/rarely go to church, who would still say that they love Jesus and pray (and I would separate this group from those who are nominally Christian but basically unchurched.) So the people who are there at these churches, really want to be there, and would probably number fellowship towards the top of the reasons they go (this has been my experience, anyway.)

A practicing Catholic, on the other hand, is going to go to Mass whether or not they love fellowship and being around other people. In the old days, Catholics’ entire social lives revolved around the parish, but that’s largely been forgotten, and it didn’t happen in the context of Mass, but other activities.
 
In my experience, I think that the modern Catholic parish tends to be very extroverted, activity-oriented. If you’ve ever heard of a traditional Latin Mass parish you might notice a distinct difference in parishioners. There seem to be more introverts at the traditional Mass than a modern Mass.
 
Take care.

I was Evangelical Protestant for the first 47 years of my life. I’ve personally known Protestants and have read about many others who gave their lives–literally, were put to death–for Jesus.

So i would be careful about assuming that Evangelical Protestants think “there’s no need to get too serious or reflective about all of what Jesus actually instructed,” including the parts requiring more work and dedication which may not be “fun.”

I think many Catholics would be staggered to know how much time Protestants put into prayer, Bible study, charitable work, and church work, as well as raising families When my husband and I were Protestant, we spent 5-6 days and/or evenings each week involved with some aspect of Christian service (and we loved it).

One of the ministries we were heavily involved with was the Pro-Life movement. We recognized that Catholics were leading the way, but we followed them.

And I’ve known Evangelical Protestants who spent an hour or more everyday on their knees in very silent prayer. Most Evangelical Protestants work hard to maintain a daily “Quiet Time” or “Daily Devotions” or “Morning Watch.” It’s called different things by different Christians and includes includes Bible study, meditation on the Scriptures, contemplation of Jesus and His Love and Sacrifice for us, and of course, prayer. Many Evangelicals do this time on their knees.

Like I said, take care. Just because people shout for joy in praise to God doesn’t mean they are shallow. Jesus told the Pharisees, “If you are silent, the very rocks will cry out.”

I miss the openness and friendliness of Evangelical Protestants. I have many Catholic acquaintances in my parish and throughout the city, but no close friends. I honestly think that if my husband were to die, or I experience some other tragedy, that the people who would come to stay with me and comfort me would be my old Evangelical Protestant friends, and that most of the Catholics would have no idea that i was suffering. Sorry. 😦 I try to make friends, but it really does seem that most Catholics just want to be left alone or stick with their own little group. 😦

I play piano/organ in Evangelical churches when I am asked (for pay, BTW). So I still get my “friendship fix.”

I wish the Catholics and Protestants could get back together. Isn’t it time yet?
 
It’s wonderful to hear how devoted some Protestants are to the spiritual aspects of their religion since I haven’t known very many myself personally. My experience has been primarily with observing many non-denominational Christians, and it saddens me. I’m also very concerned about the requested “requirement” of some to tithe 10% to them. I’ve seen where this can be financially distressing to one family in particular, and it’s upsetting. They almost seem brainwashed into it. I’m with you and also wish Christians could get back together! Perhaps one day. Thanks for the info!
 
Yes, we certainly have to meet people and get to know them one at a time.

Although my husband was raised in a denomination that asked for a tithe (Assemblies of God), I was not. However, generally speaking, people gave generously to support the work of the church and the various foreign missions.
Our pastors and staff were well-paid and the programs were funded.

Not sure if this is still happening. I think a lot of Protestant churches have cut back on their ministries and outreaches because they are losing people and because many people just can’t afford to give a tithe or more.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top