From the Centre for Christian Apologetics, Scholarship & Education, this article looks at our human habit of forming groups, connecting in a myriad of ways, such as sporting teams, hobbies, political persuasion, etc., whether in person or online. Matthew Frazer reminds us that God's church does not operate in the same fashion, and cautions us to be alert to the pitfalls of earthly tribalism.
"Are you an Apple fanboy or a Fandroid? Trekkie or Jedi? Dog-owner or cat-owned? What’s your tribe?
Tribalism is characterised by an intense sense of loyalty to a social or cultural group. This loyalty fosters a strong sense of shared identity, building bonds that strengthen community. By their nature, these bonds are exclusive to members of the tribe, meaning outsiders are often treated with suspicion or hostility. Historically, tribes have formed around ethnic or cultural groupings, tied to geographical proximity.
Enter the enlightened modern age, the global village, and the end of tribalism. Or, perhaps not.
The ties that bind us have changed, but the tendency to form exclusive groupings has not. Geographical proximity isn't the significant factor in shaping social identity when real-time communication to practically any location in the world is possible. But culture reaches across the globe, and communities can flourish in virtual, online form."
https://www.case.edu.au/blogs/case-subscription-library/technological-tribalism
