Most religions have tended to operate on a one-size-fits-all mentality. It was a “my way or the highway” attitude. Sometimes people as they grow older find that their religion no longer meets their spiritual needs. Here is where an understanding of personality type can help the individual find the kinds of experiences that are spiritually nourishing, and help the various religious faiths meet the needs of their adherents.
According to Jung and Myers personality has four dimensions and we each have a specific preference for one pole of each of these four dimensions: either Extraversion or Introversion, Sensing or Intuiting, Thinking or Feeling, and Judging or Perceiving. The emphasis is on the word ‘preference,’ for although we do prefer one pole from each dimension, we are still quite capable of using the other poles as well.
As we look over the various aspects of religion, note if your spiritual needs are being met. Also, consider how well your religion is meeting the spiritual needs of all its people.
The Extravert will become excited by being part of a large assembly of people. They are energized by others around them. Some religious ceremonies last for hours and are enjoyed by the Extraverted faithful. Introverts will be more nourished by quiet times alone, or in the silent times in a worship service. Another thing to take into consideration is that as we move into mid life we find that both Extraverts and Introverts are drawn to finding more time to be alone to ponder their life, what it has meant and where they are going on their spiritual journey.
The major faiths of the world all have elaborate ceremonies that are a feast for the senses: the colours of the sacred place itself, the vestments of the officials, music, incense, taste of special foods that are part of the ceremony, the embrace of one another and the laying on of hands. This is what the Sensor enjoys. It brings back past memories that evoke emotions that they relive. The Intuitives look for meanings in what is experienced. To them symbols are more than objects or drawings. They evoke an appreciation of the Divine.
The Thinker is nourished by a theology that tells them what the Supreme Being(s) is like and how the world operates. The great theologians of the ages have had a strong Thinking preference. Thinkers want to study the sacred writings and from them have an intellectual grasp of the Divine. Feelers want to know they are cared for by their faith. Does the Supreme Being know they exist and cares about them? Do they have to perform certain rituals to please this Supreme Being? Is there an opportunity within their faith to reach out and care for others? Do they only care for their own or is all humanity to be included in that caring?
Some religions follow elaborate rituals that must be precisely executed to be considered a proper act of worship. Others are very spontaneous, following an inner calling. This is the Judging-Perceiving dimension. How structured do you like your religious experience to be? Does it have to be the same for every ceremony? Or can it be open to change? Judgers tend to want everything to remain the same. New ideas are viewed with unease. They feel more comfortable when the order of the ceremony is the same each time they go to their place of worship. Perceivers want more variety. They see the Divine in the novel presentation. Bring in the clowns! In fact some groups have used clowns to spread the good news. Remember the movie Godspell?
What we all need to remember is that people are different, in fact sixteen ways of being different according to psychological type. Those that are in charge of worship, either the religious leaders and/or the laity, tend to prepare a worship service according to their needs. There has to be more input to find a format that meets the needs of everyone. The format itself is not the spiritual experience but is only a vehicle to help people have the spiritual experiences that nourish them.
Our spiritual experiences come in many forms. Even as our society is becoming more secular, there seems to be a longing to have our spiritual needs met. Knowing your personality can help you understand why you are drawn to certain experiences. Religious communities also have a responsibility to help meet these needs. When we realize that our differences are mainly because of our personalities and that we all see the world differently, we can become more tolerant of the many faiths of the world. We will be able to see the value in certain ceremonies and beliefs, if not for ourselves then for other personality types. We can see the Divine in ourselves and in all those around us. That is when religion and spirituality become one and the same.