Posted by Jan den Breejen on March 22, 2001 at 08:40:19:
Evangelical Christians - an archetypical case
Although every person can become an evangelical christian; here is an example of a middle aged man which I think is over-represented in this religious niche of society:
Feeling insecure, nervous, fear of death and of people, but also the will to overcome these fears. Intolerance towards ambiguity; worries about things like the size of the universe which is not clear. Need for external authorities to support and help him/her; 'put trust in God', often ferocious readers of authoratitive texts. Build up needs for external authority suddenly bursts into 'seeing the light', often having a sudden intense experience of an authority which makes them choose 100% for a fixed point of view (black-and-white thinking.) Strong emotional/feeling experiences; like 'I was bullied at school and this cut wounds so deep….' Or alternatively; 'I was so happy that I could have been dancing of joy'. Need to adhere to organisations and groups, going with the flow of the team/group since the collective sharing of things makes them feel less insecure. Careful. Introverted; non-assertive. Worshipping 'the lord'; praying their need of 'having a personal relationship with God'.
Classification: Devoted/dependent personality.
Jan