Narcissism and Religion

[Zerg]

Obviously the Church is against narcissism as we are supposed to try and be Christ like.

This disorder is shocking, however this forum is anonymous, so we should talk about it.

Personally I only realized at the start of my adulthood (at about 19) that I am a passive narcissist. I used to believe that “not hurting other’s feelings” especially at home was more important than dealing with people.

I am shocked that I would go to confession, pray and live a selfish hermitic life. One NEEDS to deal with people, even if that means accidentally hurting others’ feelings or our own.

If someone was irritating me (I would just ignore them and say a short prayer). All that was needed was to just say “Please stop”.

I wonder if unreasonable scruples, the kind that isolates a person, is a form of PRIDE?

Can being different and saying MORE prayers than average be a form a pride because other’s don’t?

 

[Translucent1]

I can testify to what I’ve learned as a man. Every time I look back at my own past, I get frightening physical pains. When I look at the future, that is pride for I know not, only God knows the script of life. Yet I have too many unresolved issues to be fully present in the… present. All I can do is pray in good faith for all people. Today I found out my friend’s mother is going through severe physical pain, so I prayed for her. When it comes to prayer, the time is always right, just don’t pray before others or else you will add to your pride. Pray to Jesus.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

Can being different and saying MORE prayers than average be a form a pride because other’s don’t?

Yes.
Spiritual pride is easy to fall into.

Pride is not the same as narcissism, however,

But the fact that you’re aware of these issues is a good sign and it’s something you can work on.

Please understand that spirituality is the work of a lifetime

 

[VeryBlessed]

I will let you in on a secret. I think we are all recovering “passive narcissists”. Jesus is always helping me not to be so self centered. Find the passage about Jesus washing the disciples feet (John 13 I think), read it slowly, think deeply about it. Meditate on his compassionate responses at the times when he tried to get himself and his disciples away from the crowds, then they would find him anyway, and he would change his plans and minister to them, even though he had wanted to try to get away. John the Baptist made an interesting statement when he said about Jesus, “He must become more, I must become less”. There is a lot of wisdom in that statement…! I’m so grateful for how the Spirit of God helps me be less selfish.

 

[Shakuhachi]

I think we are all recovering “passive narcissists”.

I don’t know about “passive” but we all come from a natural childhood narcissism. Some just do not outgrow it.

 

[Vico]

Obviously the Church is against narcissism as we are supposed to try and be Christ like.

This disorder is shocking, however this forum is anonymous, so we should talk about it.

Personally I only realized at the start of my adulthood (at about 19) that I am a passive narcissist. I used to believe that “not hurting other’s feelings” especially at home was more important than dealing with people.

I am shocked that I would go to confession, pray and live a selfish hermitic life. One NEEDS to deal with people, even if that means accidentally hurting others’ feelings or our own.

If someone was irritating me (I would just ignore them and say a short prayer). All that was needed was to just say “Please stop”.

I wonder if unreasonable scruples, the kind that isolates a person, is a form of PRIDE?

Can being different and saying MORE prayers than average be a form a pride because other’s don’t?

What you describe sounds not to be narcissism, which is a disorder where the person views other people as objects and feel completely justified in exploiting them. To hold oneself as superior to others or disdaining them because of what they lack, but that you think you have or actually have, is pride. It is grave when contemptuous – when one is unwilling to acknowledge dependence on God and refuses to submit to God or lawful authority.

 

[Angel_Gabriel]

I agree. Enduring people who annoy you instead of telling them isn’t wrong. I don’t’ think it’s prideful to pray for them either. I need to learn to endure many things that bother me…ultimately b/c they really DON’T affect me…I may just not like it. And that’s fine…it doesn’t make me a narcissist (although I am the “Queen of Passive Aggressiveness”…something I work on daily b/c I’ve realized that I don’t’ want to manipulate people anymore). True narcissists don’t think they have anything wrong with them…it’s always someone else’s fault.

 

[TheAmazingGrace]

Personally I only realized at the start of my adulthood (at about 19) that I am a passive narcissist. I used to believe that “not hurting other’s feelings” especially at home was more important than dealing with people.

I wouldn’t call that narcissism: sounds more like you’re afraid of conflict. Narcissists, by contrast, tend to love being around (and screwing with) other people.

 

[Lee1]

One of the problems with having a medical dictionary is reading it and convincing yourself you have all sorts of conditions.

You probably don’t have.