Peformative Protestantism
Modern-day Protestantism is built upon performances. Outsiders realise it. The "Dones" realise it. But not the regular congregants, because they're primed to perform. Take for example, the social media pages of these churches, what do you see? Images of people smiling, shaking hands, talking, and laughing. These churches are selling you a lifestyle. They can't sell you Jesus so they sell you an image of effortless joy, which you can apparently only get at church. Except that it's all a façade, because it's a watered down Christianity from evangelists who try to sell you how fun their church is. They say, "come, there's food, fun, and fellowship".
You don't see this so often in the social media pages of Catholic and Orthodox churches. Sure, there are happy moments. But it doesn't feel so disingenuous.
Worship leaders use pictures of themselves "worshiping" as their profile picture. Subconsciously, they're curating an image of themselves that is pure and holy, except that poses the possibility that the individuals who are on stage on a regular basis have a deep seated desire for validation and attention. It's part of the coin. No one goes on stage to ONLY worship God. Catholic churches know that so they relegate the choir either to the back or the sides. Smart.
Pastors are dressed in business suits. Worship leaders are decked in skinny jeans and expensive shoes. Attendances are important. Marketing team is given priority.
"We need to bring the numbers up!"
Like it's some business quota they need to reach.
Catholicism isn't perfect. Granted, they too have flaws, but my soft spot for it started to grow ever since I encountered authors like Flannery O'Connor and Simone Weil. I started to question why Catholic writings stood the test of time. They had more depth. More punch. It reaches to your core. It disturbs you slightly. C.S. Lewis was one of the few exceptions for a non-Catholic.
They say no church is perfect, but it's not like I didn't already know. What I do expect from churches is less performances and more reverence. Because I'm not here to be cool. Whatever that means.