In-group & out-group bias

I recently went searching online for a discussion on in-group/out-group dynamics and came across this post from a blog entitled An Evangelical Dialogue on Evolution. I attempted to comment, but then later found out that there was a special submit process and that.. get this.. I was part of the out-group since I am not an evangelical christian.

Here is my original attempt to post on the blog that did not pass the moderator:

(Nov 3, 2008 12:10am)
Is not the threat between these specific factions just one of sanity vs madness? A person who has a good grasp of their own individual identity and power in the world would have very little reason to lapse into madness no matter which group "wins" the fight. There is no blood being shed on this issue or people dying from lack of resources. But taken the quote above, one can see that the fight for sanity is connected to being more and more accepted by a group (even the one you are part of!).

How's the saying go? The man in doubt must knock on everyone's door, but the man who is certain lets everyone sleep.

Could it be that the warriors on both sides of this issue have their own identity circle seperate from the circles they fight for?

We are people who fear we are not accepted! Let us rejoice!

From Nimrods

When days past and I noticed that it did not post... I wrote Steve an email:

(Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 11:02 AM)
Steven,

I attempted to post a reply to one of your blog entries, and only realized afterwards that I had to email you first in order to post. I was about to send an email, but then noticed that you only accept Evangelicals. I was raised Roman Catholic, not Evangelical, and came across your blog while searching for discussions on in-group/out-group bias. (The post was this one - http://evanevodialogue.blogspot.com/2008/09/ingroup-outgroup-bias-in-origins-debate.html)

Do you ever allow posts for people that are not of the Evangelical faith?

Sincerly,

Joe

Steve promptly replied:

(Sat, November 15, 2008 8:31 am)
Hi Joe,

Welcome. Just to clarify: My current guest-post series has comments turned off (mostly) but this is not the norm for the blog. Anyone can comment on any post (where the comments are open) ... and I have all kinds of perspectives participating including several RC's. So if you are looking to join the conversation, just wait for posts where comments are turned on again. Also, for the current series, I'm inviting readers to send me emailed questions to be addressed my George Murphy in an upcoming post (See: http://evanevodialogue.blogspot.com/2008/10/evolution-and-original-sin-series.html).

Re: primary posts to the blog, yes I'd prefer to keep it to Evangelicals for the moment. (see: http://evanevodialogue.blogspot.com/2008/05/invitation-to-contribute.html ). That is my primary audience & in these theological discussions, many Evangelicals tend to be suspicious of theology not blessed by one of their own. I don't agree with that attitude but think the limitation on primary posts it is a good practical choice for now.

Thanks for responding &, and I encourage you to join the conversations in the comment sections.

thanks,
--
Steve Martin (CSCA)

To which I replied...

(Sat, Nov 29, 2008 at 12:41 AM)
Steve,

I apologize for taking so long to respond, but I have been very busy since my girlfriend and I are about to have a child in February. That has taken priority over everything else, as it very well should.

Thank you for your invitation to comment on future blog posts. Since my interest in your blog was solely limited to the topic of in-group/out-group bias, I am unsure if I will have another chance. My momentary encounter with your blog was primarily the result of a search for this topic.

All considered, our passing interaction seems to point to the heart of this general concept of in-group/out-group. My additions to the conversation were moderated out since as you aptly put it, "..many

Evangelicals tend to be suspicious of theology not blessed by one of

their own.."

You said you did not agree with this attitude. I agree with you. It seems the two of us, therefore, are part of our very own in-group. ;-)

I have not yet received a reply.