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Making Meaning by Making Enemies

Apr 30, 2026
A conversation about why tribes form enemies to create belonging. They explore mimetic desire, scapegoating, and how online crowds and politics fuel tribal unity. Historical parallels from McCarthyism to cancel culture are examined. The gospel and resurrection are presented as an alternative that removes the need for scapegoats and calls for belonging rooted in worship.
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INSIGHT

Algorithms Manufacture Enemies For Attention

  • Social media algorithms weaponize the narcissism of small differences by delivering enemies and outrage to capture attention.
  • That liturgical shaping makes people default to forming tribes and finding enemies as meaning-making mechanisms.
ANECDOTE

Church Planting Regret From Anti‑Vision Identity

  • Brad Edwards recounts church planting mistakes when defining a church primarily by what it opposed.
  • He says anti-visions created fragile belonging; when the church shifted, members feared losing shared enemies.
INSIGHT

Tribal Tests Replace Gospel Priorities

  • Tribal concerns become gospel tests when congregations expect pastors to endorse political grievances.
  • John Houmes notes members demand pastors mention specific political issues as evidence of faithful alignment.
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