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JILL RUDZIK's avatar

Church folk often have imposter syndrome. We fake being good all the while knowing we are not. Is this kayfabe?

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Michael Halcomb's avatar

I think, yeah, as long as there's a "performative" aspect to it and everyone has created a sort of formal social contract that they'll go along with it knowing it's a ruse, it's kayfabe.

Interesting thought about "imposter syndrome." How have you seen that at work?

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JILL RUDZIK's avatar

I’m not at all sure I’m an act trying to be a Christian.

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JILL RUDZIK's avatar

I have faith in my redemption but I often feel phony. My actions good but thoughts not so good.

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Michael Halcomb's avatar

I think we can all relate. I think it is such an act of grace and mercy on God's behalf that our thoughts are private. Could you imagine if others had direct access to our thoughts? Or if our thoughts were always displayed or broadcasted for others to see? How terrifying would that be? How terrifying would it be to know exactly what everyone else is thinking about you as you talk to them or sit by them or walk past them?

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JILL RUDZIK's avatar

Thanks

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Michael Halcomb's avatar

I think non-Christians pick up on this tension and, typically, the name they give it is "hypocrisy" rather than "kayfabe." They pick up on the notion that this congregation or denomination or group over here, they're pretty fake. They are performative on say, Sundays, when they're together. They agree that's how they'll be. But they also agree that, Mon-Sat, when they're apart, they'll be different. And they just keep this performance going on and on and on. People pick up on this.

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