The Deleterious Effects of Narcissism

One of the things I comment on (okay, bitch about) frequently is the deep-rooted narcissism in our culture. I'm not talking about looking at oneself at the mirror and admiring oneself for hours on end--though that is a problem in our culture as well. I'm talking about the unabashed glory one gives oneself in deciding all matters. A few examples:

• A common-place thing I hear from people in my generation--"I have a big problem with the Catholic Church ... I have problems with what they say about women in the priesthood or gay marriage or contraceptives ... I don't understand why I need to go to church, I can worship God in my own way ... etc." Good Lord, it is a struggle not to roll my eyes when I hear that stuff. And it comes from smart people, good people, people whom I would not consider egotistical in other matters. But, notice how the emphasis is on the self and what the self wants and what the self deserves.
• I hear from some people on why they don't attend church anymore, "Well, I wasn't really getting anything out of it." Self-fulfillment and the development of one's spiritual side are admirable goals, but really, is the point of Mass for one to get something. Isn't there are more important reason to be at the Eucharist? Is the primary reason for Church, indeed, religion, to hand out warm feelings to us?

Now, I realize America places a strong emphasis on individuality, on self-reliance. But does that not mean that we as a society cannot recognize that there are higher authorities than our own out there? How much more advanced as a people would we all be if we debated on the particulars of objective morality rather than if objective morality even exists?

This ever-reaching narcissism sprouts fast-growing branches of other destructive societal maladies: the primacy of personal feelings, the total eradication of shame and guilt (man, very large books could be written about that topic--is a society without shame worth having?), the elevation of empty philosophies such as "Who am I to judge?" and "Live and let live," etc.

All of which leads us further away from Christ ... and further away from each other.