RELIGIOUS BOASTING
Perhaps the most common expression of spiritual pride, after regular attendance at religious meetings, is found in speech. Verbal boasting is subtle to the point of invisibility for those who are part of a religious culture because it is the norm within that culture. It may, on the other hand, be very visible to people for whom it is not the norm. For example, consider the practice of praying with beads which is found in several religions and praying in tongues. It is a common practice within those religions, but for others outside the religion it may be regarded with skepticism or even disdain.

Being a member in good standing of a religious community, doing what others in that community do (e.g. praying with beads, carrying a Bible, wearing a kippa, praying in tongues, etc.) has a way of generating spiritual pride. There is something about doing what other religious people do and rubbing shoulders with them that spills over into an enhanced self-concept of spirituality. It all says, in effect: “Look at me! I am religious and I worship in a community of highly religious people.”

In all religions, worship with like-minded people stirs up physical and emotional indicators that are interpreted as spiritual connection with the object of worship. The addictive nature of these indicators keeps people going back to church, synagogue or conferences. Some might call them a “spiritual high” in which people wrongly construe that they have touched, or have been touched by God. And when that experience happens in a particular location, people will also wrongly construe that God shows special favor to people who come to that location and participate in activities associated with it. They think it is all spiritual but it is really nothing more than psychology at work in the practice of religion.

STUDY TIP: See Music, Singing and Dancing for more about spiritual highs.

Boasting is often expressed through relationships with religious people. Knowing the pastor or rabbi, and talking or praying with him/her and other religious leaders causes people to think they are a little closer to God — in their own eyes and in the opinions of coreligionists — because they are in relationship with people who have reputations for being close to God.

The status of religious leaders is measured in their apparent closeness to God. This relationship is often certified by degrees, titles and positions that are conferred on leader by religious authorities who have  their own degrees, titles and positions that affirm their individual and collective authority to speak for God and appoint (i.e. anoint and ordain) religious leaders for service in the religious community. And since many other coreligionists have affirmed this authority with praise, listening ears, and money, it is easy to join the crowd of admiring followers. But, degrees, titles and religious posturing and conformance to tradition does not impress God who does not look at outward appearances but looks at the heart.

This spiritual osmosis effect is multiplied when the spiritual leader is well-known and respected within the larger religious community. It increases dramatically when the leader has a large following in a church, synagogue or independent ministry or has written a book or is on television. The subtle thinking says that if many other spiritual people are following this leader, then I will also be spiritual if I follow him/her.

Because hanging around with other spiritual people and doing the things that they do makes us feel spiritual and close to God, people who are inclined to spirituality will tend to participate heavily in activities that have spiritual meaning. There are three problems with this thinking. First, the things that religious people do are based on traditions established by men — not on God’s spoken voice. The second problem is that religious leaders become replacements for God. In other words, they become idols. And third, there is the issue of pride.

STUDY TIP: See Religion is Idolatry for more about following other gods.

Here is a short list of examples when pride is a problem:

Since all of the above activities are common to Judaism and Christianity, it is fair to conclude that pride is a common fact in these two religions.