R
ricren
Guest
Is introvertion a vice to be overcome or is it a natural temperment to be respected? Does anyone have any resources from a faith perspective to support the answer to this question?
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T
Tantum_ergo
Guest
IntroverSion?
You mean as opposed to extroversion?
You mean labels which attempt to place a human being into a category?
Why would it be a sin to be introverted–or extroverted? One isn’t any “better” or “worse” than the other; they are simply qualities of a given person.
And it’s the rare individual who is the “extreme” example of either. . .
You mean as opposed to extroversion?
You mean labels which attempt to place a human being into a category?
Why would it be a sin to be introverted–or extroverted? One isn’t any “better” or “worse” than the other; they are simply qualities of a given person.
And it’s the rare individual who is the “extreme” example of either. . .
R
ricren
Guest
Thanks for the spelling correction. 
I got it right in some of the places. Oh well.
Curious to see what others are thinking.
God Bless.
I got it right in some of the places. Oh well.Curious to see what others are thinking.
God Bless.
T
tom.wineman
Guest
It would seem to me that many of the saints were introverts. Its those know it all extroverts that will get you into trouble
Being introverted is a blessing and a virtue.
Read some of the lives of the saints.
Being introverted is a blessing and a virtue.
Read some of the lives of the saints.
P
pprimeau1976
Guest
PROUD TO BE AN INTROVERT!!!
P
puzzleannie
Guest
been messing around with that Myers-Briggs thing again, haven’t you. since when did personality traits become sins, and since when do we go around speculating whether traits possessed by others are sinful - can we just drop the threads like “is being depressed a sin” and “is being fat a sin” and get back to important topics like clown Masses and communion veils?
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Benedictus
Guest
No, being an introvert is not a sin at all.
Personally, I’d hate to be one of those people who loves to hear himself talk, pretends to be friends with everyone in the world, and just won’t shut up.
As Mark Twain said:
Personally, I’d hate to be one of those people who loves to hear himself talk, pretends to be friends with everyone in the world, and just won’t shut up.
As Mark Twain said:
B
Benedictus
Guest
I wouldn’t put being fat in the same category as depression. The fact is that a majority of Americans are overweight, and for most of them, it’s their own fault, and it is a sin.
K
Kevin_Walker
Guest
A large number if not a majority of introverts tend to be intellectuals and scholars.
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puzzleannie
Guest
how do you know, do you have access to their medical records? to you keep their food diary? do you track their meds and insulin? we already have a thread bashing fat people, if you enjoy that line of thought why not check it out.
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springbreeze
Guest
Dear friend
Fantastic! I like the quote.
Everyone is shy to some extent and extroverts usually make up for any shyness by being extra talkative etc.
No, personality traits are not a sin and never will be
I like the diversity of humanity in all the different ways people are, it would be very boring if we were all the same, this so-called false ‘ideal person’, to hell with that! I can see why psychologists have made categories of people but no person totally fits a category, we are all unique and so very different. Personally I think it is wrong to generalise people into types even though someone’s predominant nature may be introvert or extrovert.
At some point the introvert will surprise you and so will the extrovert.
God Bless you and much love and peace to you
Teresa
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ricren
Guest
Thanks for all the interesting comments.
Just to clarify, I’m not out to categorize a whole group of people as sinful. I just have trouble describing what I’m trying to work through and introversion is the best name I can give it.
I’m frankly happy to see so much support for the idea that introversion is not sinful. But I’m concerned that I did not fully get across my question. I guess I’m wondering more specifically if the tendency to focus on self and look inward that someone who would be perceived as introverted might have is sinful. If a person feels that they would prefer to spend more time quietly alone than out in the community - is that truly an acceptable personality trait. Or is it a selfish tendency that leads to a lack of charity. If that introverted person dreads going out and doing face to face things with others and needs a great deal of alone time before and after to prepare and console themselves after social interaction, that can limit the amount of time that person is available to offer themselves to others. Is this perceived need to be alone to “recover” and “prepare” a selfish tendency that should be worked on to be overcome, or is it a truly God given temperment whose limitations should be respected.
I agree that it appears there have been many saints who seem to be introverted. I’ve been thinking a lot about Pope JP II lately, about how he was so available to everyone. Now it might just be that he was an extrovert who worked within his God given temperment. I don’t know. But could it be that an introvert would be asked by God to give up that “recover” and “prepare” time to be more available to the people around them in need. Would this be considered pouring themselves out for God? Would reserving their energy be considered a selfishness?
Still curious and looking to see what people think. Thanks!
God Bless.
Just to clarify, I’m not out to categorize a whole group of people as sinful. I just have trouble describing what I’m trying to work through and introversion is the best name I can give it.
I’m frankly happy to see so much support for the idea that introversion is not sinful. But I’m concerned that I did not fully get across my question. I guess I’m wondering more specifically if the tendency to focus on self and look inward that someone who would be perceived as introverted might have is sinful. If a person feels that they would prefer to spend more time quietly alone than out in the community - is that truly an acceptable personality trait. Or is it a selfish tendency that leads to a lack of charity. If that introverted person dreads going out and doing face to face things with others and needs a great deal of alone time before and after to prepare and console themselves after social interaction, that can limit the amount of time that person is available to offer themselves to others. Is this perceived need to be alone to “recover” and “prepare” a selfish tendency that should be worked on to be overcome, or is it a truly God given temperment whose limitations should be respected.
I agree that it appears there have been many saints who seem to be introverted. I’ve been thinking a lot about Pope JP II lately, about how he was so available to everyone. Now it might just be that he was an extrovert who worked within his God given temperment. I don’t know. But could it be that an introvert would be asked by God to give up that “recover” and “prepare” time to be more available to the people around them in need. Would this be considered pouring themselves out for God? Would reserving their energy be considered a selfishness?
Still curious and looking to see what people think. Thanks!
God Bless.
C
CarolAnnSFO
Guest
I don’t think that “preferring to spend time quietly and alone” necessarily goes together with “focusing on self and looking inward.” It could be that the person who spends time alone is focusing on God. That would seem to describe a lot of our cloistered religious.
I believe it’s a God-given temperament. I don’t know many people who deliberately set out to be introverts or extroverts – they just are, one way or the other. God made them all, and they all should be respected.
I don’t think of introverted-ness as a “limitation”, by the way. There are different ways of serving and “going out into the world”, and we are called to use the gifts God gives us. It may that the introvert, in trying to force himself to be an extrovert (with all the preparing and recovering) is wasting a lot of time that he could be using to glorify God in another manner. Just my :twocents:
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amasimp
Guest
I certainly hope not! Otherwise, I’d be in a world of hurt.
The only thing I can think of is that if a person is so introverted that they are afraid to go to confession, then perhaps it isn’t necessarily in and of itself sinful but certainly harmful to them spiritually. In that case, they should pray for God’s grace to overcome their difficulties.
The only thing I can think of is that if a person is so introverted that they are afraid to go to confession, then perhaps it isn’t necessarily in and of itself sinful but certainly harmful to them spiritually. In that case, they should pray for God’s grace to overcome their difficulties.
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springbreeze
Guest
Dear friend
You have to believe that God made you unique and loves you.
God LOVES you. Period.
So you don’t like being among many people and prefer to spend your time in solitude, well God made you with this personality trait for a reason and to use your gifts as a human being for His Glory. No-one on earth can pray to Him as you do, no-one else has your life nor your experiences and so no-one else can offer to Him what you can. No-one else has your personality and can love God as you do.
I think somewhere along the road of life you have been told that to be shy and retiring is a bad thing, well this is just eyewash and utter pish! Everyone on this earth is a little shy, some people more so than others and if God has called you to solitude, silence and inward reflection then this is what He wants of you, never mind what ‘fred’ down the street is doing, you have to be WHO you are and serve God and His people this way.
If you don’t care to mix much with others then your service is foremost to God who calls you to be alone with Him by yourself. Personally I seek this and find it to be beautiful to spend many hours alone in conversation with Christ Jesus and the Holy Trinity, but I am a mother and for some reason I don’t seem to get as many hours of this time from family and friends as I would love to give to God in solitude ( even on bus journeys as I don’t drive I like to spend this time in prayer but always some stranger, young or old, will talk to me and I don’t even get this time to spend alone in my heart with Jesus, so I am to love Jesus in others) and so I have to take this time as and when I get it, so in busy times I spend that time loving Christ Jesus in others. And you are also called to the service of reflection upon others and praying for them (personally I think prayer is the greatest act of mercy a soul can do for another).
You cannot be anyone other than who you are and who you are is beautiful because God made you this way.
Accept yourself for who you are as God created you. Please don’t look around and compare yourself to other people because many fools do this not knowing that they cannot compare themselves because we are all unique.
You are not sinning in this and you are God’s child, Jesus would have died for you alone had you been the only human created.
God Bless you and much love and peace to you
Teresa
L
Listener
Guest
I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate this post because whenever I take the Myers-Briggs test, I am almost a total introvert! You probably wouldn’t guess this by reading my posts. I find it very easy to write, especially if the people don’t know me. I find it very difficult to take the initiative in meeting neighbors. I go where I’m invited, but I have to admit that I have never held a baby shower or a bridal shower for anyone - it’s just too far out of my comfort zone. Although I’m sure that just having this type of personality couldn’t be a sin, I do wish I could feel more comfortable doing more corporal works of mercy. I have read that introverted people make up only about 20% or less of the population. The other 80% don’t have a clue what we go through, and it is something like swimming upstream in a river.
C
CarolAnnSFO
Guest
I can identify with this. I was extremely introverted as a child, and every single report card had a very negative summary by the teacher about my shyness. Then, my mother would give me some grief about it.
I think (at least I hope) that today’s teachers are a little more enlightened.
The spiritual works of mercy are equally valuable, so don’t feel bad about concentrating on those! But there are some corporal works of mercy suitable for introverts. Here’s one: Are there any Birthright chapters or Crisis Pregnancy Centers near you? They often need baby clothes, diapers, and other supplies. You could shop for these things, and donate them – a way of “clothing the naked”. I’m sure there are lots of others!
M
m134e5
Guest
Introversion is not a sin. It is just a personality type. If you sit in your room all day and don’t ever look for the company of others, it is an imperfection. If you are too introverted to reach out to others, yet you know they need a friend, then the imperfection becomes a sin- the sin of selfishness. The same can be true if others are trying to reach out to you, but you insist on staying locked up in your own world.
S
springbreeze
Guest
Dear friend
You are not understanding the differences between people’s and personality; you form this from your own self and not from how many people God has created.
Not everyone can do what you can do nor can you do what others can do , so you cannot judge them as to yourself, this is pure foolishness to judge another as to yourself.
It is not a matter of being locked in their own world, they are called to different vocations to others which is a life of solitude and inward reflection which if spent enough time on; inward reflection eventually reaches out to God again.
I find your post a little uneasy to me. You are comfortable in your own skin but remember that no-one else would be comfortable in your skin, this will help you to remember each is unique.
Our friend here is not talking about ignoring a dying person or helping someone they come across by God’s will to help them, they are talking generally, our friend would not stand by and not help another!!! Look out from your own self…
We are all striving to be Christ-like…our friend is the Christ who goes privately to pray, our friend is the 30 years of the private life of Christ… see, we all live in Christ and our friend is not wrong just because they are not the same as you…
God Bless you and much love and peace to you
Teresa
J
John_Russell_Jr
Guest
From, Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A Kempis.
The Twentieth Chapter
The Love of Solitude and Silence
SEEK a suitable time for leisure and meditate often on the favors of God. Leave curiosities alone. Read such matters as bring sorrow to the heart rather than occupation to the mind. If you withdraw yourself from unnecessary talking and idle running about, from listening to gossip and rumors, you will find enough time that is suitable for holy meditation.
Very many great saints avoided the company of men wherever possible and chose to serve God in retirement. “As often as I have been among men,” said one writer, “I have returned less a man.” We often find this to be true when we take part in long conversations. It is easier to be silent altogether than not to speak too much. To stay at home is easier than to be sufficiently on guard while away. Anyone, then, who aims to live the inner and spiritual life must go apart, with Jesus, from the crowd.
No man appears in safety before the public eye unless he first relishes obscurity. No man is safe in speaking unless he loves to be silent. No man rules safely unless he is willing to be ruled. No man commands safely unless he has learned well how to obey. No man rejoices safely unless he has within him the testimony of a good conscience.
More than this, the security of the saints was always enveloped in the fear of God, nor were they less cautious and humble because they were conspicuous for great virtues and graces. The security of the wicked, on the contrary, springs from pride and presumption, and will end in their own deception.
Never promise yourself security in this life, even though you seem to be a good religious, or a devout hermit. It happens very often that those whom men esteem highly are more seriously endangered by their own excessive confidence. Hence, for many it is better not to be too free from temptations, but often to be tried lest they become too secure, too filled with pride, or even too eager to fall back upon external comforts.
If only a man would never seek passing joys or entangle himself with worldly affairs, what a good conscience he would have. What great peace and tranquillity would be his, if he cut himself off from all empty care and thought only of things divine, things helpful to his soul, and put all his trust in God.
No man deserves the consolation of heaven unless he persistently arouses himself to holy contrition. If you desire true sorrow of heart, seek the privacy of your cell and shut out the uproar of the world, as it is written: “In your chamber bewail your sins.” There you will find what too often you lose abroad.
Your cell will become dear to you if you remain in it, but if you do not, it will become wearisome. If in the beginning of your religious life, you live within your cell and keep to it, it will soon become a special friend and a very great comfort.
In silence and quiet the devout soul advances in virtue and learns the hidden truths of Scripture. There she finds a flood of tears with which to bathe and cleanse herself nightly, that she may become the more intimate with her Creator the farther she withdraws from all the tumult of the world. For God and His holy angels will draw near to him who withdraws from friends and acquaintances.
It is better for a man to be obscure and to attend to his salvation than to neglect it and work miracles. It is praiseworthy for a religious seldom to go abroad, to flee the sight of men and have no wish to see them.
Why wish to see what you are not permitted to have? “The world passes away and the concupiscence thereof.” Sensual craving sometimes entices you to wander around, but when the moment is past, what do you bring back with you save a disturbed conscience and heavy heart? A happy going often leads to a sad return, a merry evening to a mournful dawn. Thus, all carnal joy begins sweetly but in the end brings remorse and death.
What can you find elsewhere that you cannot find here in your cell? Behold heaven and earth and all the elements, for of these all things are made. What can you see anywhere under the sun that will remain long? Perhaps you think you will completely satisfy yourself, but you cannot do so, for if you should see all existing things, what would they be but an empty vision?
Raise your eyes to God in heaven and pray because of your sins and shortcomings. Leave vanity to the vain. Set yourself to the things which God has commanded you to do. Close the door upon yourself and call to you Jesus, your Beloved. Remain with Him in your cell, for nowhere else will you find such peace. If you had not left it, and had not listened to idle gossip, you would have remained in greater peace. But since you love, sometimes, to hear news, it is only right that you should suffer sorrow of heart from it.
The Twentieth Chapter
The Love of Solitude and Silence
SEEK a suitable time for leisure and meditate often on the favors of God. Leave curiosities alone. Read such matters as bring sorrow to the heart rather than occupation to the mind. If you withdraw yourself from unnecessary talking and idle running about, from listening to gossip and rumors, you will find enough time that is suitable for holy meditation.
Very many great saints avoided the company of men wherever possible and chose to serve God in retirement. “As often as I have been among men,” said one writer, “I have returned less a man.” We often find this to be true when we take part in long conversations. It is easier to be silent altogether than not to speak too much. To stay at home is easier than to be sufficiently on guard while away. Anyone, then, who aims to live the inner and spiritual life must go apart, with Jesus, from the crowd.
No man appears in safety before the public eye unless he first relishes obscurity. No man is safe in speaking unless he loves to be silent. No man rules safely unless he is willing to be ruled. No man commands safely unless he has learned well how to obey. No man rejoices safely unless he has within him the testimony of a good conscience.
More than this, the security of the saints was always enveloped in the fear of God, nor were they less cautious and humble because they were conspicuous for great virtues and graces. The security of the wicked, on the contrary, springs from pride and presumption, and will end in their own deception.
Never promise yourself security in this life, even though you seem to be a good religious, or a devout hermit. It happens very often that those whom men esteem highly are more seriously endangered by their own excessive confidence. Hence, for many it is better not to be too free from temptations, but often to be tried lest they become too secure, too filled with pride, or even too eager to fall back upon external comforts.
If only a man would never seek passing joys or entangle himself with worldly affairs, what a good conscience he would have. What great peace and tranquillity would be his, if he cut himself off from all empty care and thought only of things divine, things helpful to his soul, and put all his trust in God.
No man deserves the consolation of heaven unless he persistently arouses himself to holy contrition. If you desire true sorrow of heart, seek the privacy of your cell and shut out the uproar of the world, as it is written: “In your chamber bewail your sins.” There you will find what too often you lose abroad.
Your cell will become dear to you if you remain in it, but if you do not, it will become wearisome. If in the beginning of your religious life, you live within your cell and keep to it, it will soon become a special friend and a very great comfort.
In silence and quiet the devout soul advances in virtue and learns the hidden truths of Scripture. There she finds a flood of tears with which to bathe and cleanse herself nightly, that she may become the more intimate with her Creator the farther she withdraws from all the tumult of the world. For God and His holy angels will draw near to him who withdraws from friends and acquaintances.
It is better for a man to be obscure and to attend to his salvation than to neglect it and work miracles. It is praiseworthy for a religious seldom to go abroad, to flee the sight of men and have no wish to see them.
Why wish to see what you are not permitted to have? “The world passes away and the concupiscence thereof.” Sensual craving sometimes entices you to wander around, but when the moment is past, what do you bring back with you save a disturbed conscience and heavy heart? A happy going often leads to a sad return, a merry evening to a mournful dawn. Thus, all carnal joy begins sweetly but in the end brings remorse and death.
What can you find elsewhere that you cannot find here in your cell? Behold heaven and earth and all the elements, for of these all things are made. What can you see anywhere under the sun that will remain long? Perhaps you think you will completely satisfy yourself, but you cannot do so, for if you should see all existing things, what would they be but an empty vision?
Raise your eyes to God in heaven and pray because of your sins and shortcomings. Leave vanity to the vain. Set yourself to the things which God has commanded you to do. Close the door upon yourself and call to you Jesus, your Beloved. Remain with Him in your cell, for nowhere else will you find such peace. If you had not left it, and had not listened to idle gossip, you would have remained in greater peace. But since you love, sometimes, to hear news, it is only right that you should suffer sorrow of heart from it.
- Status