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Abstract

p id="2a12">The loud music was there, and so was the socializing. The choir would come on stage, Instead of a piano and organ there would be a band. A combo or trio. Several members of the congregation would have their shoves off.</p><p id="c688">The dancing in the aisles would start once the music started. It wouldn’t be long before people would have their hands in the air. Everyone would be swaying and singing along. I’m not a demonstrative person.</p><h2 id="3b8a">From what I can remember, the Dead concert was a blast</h2><p id="f310">I would still sing along and move my body to the music. Me and my brother went to a Grateful Dead concert in Austin Texas one year. There was a long drum solo. I danced my butt off.</p><p id="9147">At the church service. I tried to sit still and show my displeasure at being there. I gave that up though. I would be raising my hands and singing praises like everyone else. After a while, I began to see connections.</p><h2 id="4f4e">People are people and can be controlled</h2><p id="264a">At concerts, there’s always a call and response. Someone on stage, most of the time it’s the lead singer. He will want the audience to raise their hands and clap. If he’s playing a guitar he will let go and raise his hands over his head and start clapping.</p><p id="d29f">Immediately, everyone in the audience will have their hands in the air. To make things clear the performer will exhort the crowd to, “ Get your hands in the air.” It happens at church services as well.</p><p id="5fe1">“Raise your hands and give Glory to God.” The Praise leader will encourage the congregation. Whatever mood or feeling the praise song inspires. The praise leader has the words and gestures to get the congregation into the act.</p><h2 id="8313">People never missed the cue to dance</h2><p id="ddda">At a Charismatic C

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hurch service dancing in the aisles is a thing. Some people would bring tambourines. Some of the women would take off their shoes and be ready as soon as the music started.</p><p id="d2bd">At Rock concerts no one pays attention. You’re supposed to let loose and dance. It’s the same thing at a Charismatic service. Once I noticed the parallels I enjoyed church more. The church service and the concert aren’t the only places where the audience isn’t in control.</p><h2 id="77f0">Politicians and despots abuse the power</h2><p id="d027">If you watch a political rally or a Party Convention on TV. You will see the same manipulation and subtle and not-so-subtle cues. In the examples I wrote you will see a common theme. People are easily controlled.</p><p id="1bd0">With the right stimuli, a crowd will do anything the person exhorting them from a stage wants them to do. Hitler and other despots have used this to great effect. It’s not a big deal if it’s used at a concert or other entertainment event.</p><p id="ce29">It becomes a problem when a Hitler or other Despot uses that stimuli to encourage evil. I know a lot of readers think I have a particular politician in mind, but I don’t. I know I’m cynical, but all politicians are venal slime.</p><h2 id="bd2f">Final Thought:</h2><p id="e47c">All organized events are managed. The audience will go exactly where the performer or performers want them to go. Performers, politicians, and despots have used these techniques forever.</p><p id="a5b9">It’s important to not get caught up in emotion and do or say something you don’t want to do or say. A little skepticism and cynicism are healthy. Don’t get lead by the nose.</p><p id="b426"><a href="https://lawsonwallace.medium.com/subscribe">If you enjoyed this story you can read more by subscribing with this link.</a></p></article></body>

Rock Concerts and Charismatic Church Services Have a Lot in Common

I had a good time at both events

I grumbled a little as my mom woke me that Sunday morning. It was time to get ready to go to church. I wasn’t feeling it. I was in my twenties and lost interest in church a long time ago, but I was still living at home and eating my parent’s food.

I was a typical seventies and eighties kid. I loved rock and roll, still do. After growing up in a Southern Baptist home, my mom decided we were going to a Charismatic church. I didn’t like it at first, it was a church service after all, but as time went on I started to enjoy it more.

The music was great and I loved the energy

One of the things that I found interesting was how a Charismatic Church service was like a rock concert. In many concerts I attended the excited crowd would enter the arena or stadium. The crowd shouting over the music blaring from the P.A Speakers.

There would be people in their seats watching the crowds. Some would be getting high, and a lot of people would be drinking. It would be a huge party. The Charismatic service didn’t have the alcohol and drugs.

The crowd was more wholesome, but the vibe was almost the same

The loud music was there, and so was the socializing. The choir would come on stage, Instead of a piano and organ there would be a band. A combo or trio. Several members of the congregation would have their shoves off.

The dancing in the aisles would start once the music started. It wouldn’t be long before people would have their hands in the air. Everyone would be swaying and singing along. I’m not a demonstrative person.

From what I can remember, the Dead concert was a blast

I would still sing along and move my body to the music. Me and my brother went to a Grateful Dead concert in Austin Texas one year. There was a long drum solo. I danced my butt off.

At the church service. I tried to sit still and show my displeasure at being there. I gave that up though. I would be raising my hands and singing praises like everyone else. After a while, I began to see connections.

People are people and can be controlled

At concerts, there’s always a call and response. Someone on stage, most of the time it’s the lead singer. He will want the audience to raise their hands and clap. If he’s playing a guitar he will let go and raise his hands over his head and start clapping.

Immediately, everyone in the audience will have their hands in the air. To make things clear the performer will exhort the crowd to, “ Get your hands in the air.” It happens at church services as well.

“Raise your hands and give Glory to God.” The Praise leader will encourage the congregation. Whatever mood or feeling the praise song inspires. The praise leader has the words and gestures to get the congregation into the act.

People never missed the cue to dance

At a Charismatic Church service dancing in the aisles is a thing. Some people would bring tambourines. Some of the women would take off their shoes and be ready as soon as the music started.

At Rock concerts no one pays attention. You’re supposed to let loose and dance. It’s the same thing at a Charismatic service. Once I noticed the parallels I enjoyed church more. The church service and the concert aren’t the only places where the audience isn’t in control.

Politicians and despots abuse the power

If you watch a political rally or a Party Convention on TV. You will see the same manipulation and subtle and not-so-subtle cues. In the examples I wrote you will see a common theme. People are easily controlled.

With the right stimuli, a crowd will do anything the person exhorting them from a stage wants them to do. Hitler and other despots have used this to great effect. It’s not a big deal if it’s used at a concert or other entertainment event.

It becomes a problem when a Hitler or other Despot uses that stimuli to encourage evil. I know a lot of readers think I have a particular politician in mind, but I don’t. I know I’m cynical, but all politicians are venal slime.

Final Thought:

All organized events are managed. The audience will go exactly where the performer or performers want them to go. Performers, politicians, and despots have used these techniques forever.

It’s important to not get caught up in emotion and do or say something you don’t want to do or say. A little skepticism and cynicism are healthy. Don’t get lead by the nose.

If you enjoyed this story you can read more by subscribing with this link.