Everything That’s Wrong with Individualism Today

lenleynewland, 2 years ago 4 min read 4

People with stronger individualistic characteristics have smaller social support networks, poor emotional health, and no intentions of seeking help. Thus, there are various social and psychological disadvantages of individualism and its values. In a world with so many positive virtues, people still choose to embrace individualism and deal with its implications and repercussions.

According to the culture of individualism, such societies prioritize the needs of individuals over the needs of the remaining members of the society. It focuses on personal freedom and achievements rather than fostering a sense of collect accomplishment and appreciation for each other.

Individualistic practices and values have drastically increased over the years, with a growth rate of 12 percent since 1960. Social behaviors are increasingly becoming a product of individual preferences and attitudes rather than what is best for the whole society.

The present environment is raising a generation of narcissistic and selfish individuals who are far from the spirit of sharing and giving, keeping what they can only for themselves. They’re overcome by individualism, a way of life condemned by Bishop Lenley Newland.

This blog will help you dive into the culture of individualism and its implications.

Rich vs. poor concept

The Disadvantages of Individualism

Too Much Freedom Becomes Poisonous

Anything in excess is poison, and the same goes for freedom. In an individualistic culture, adults have the freedom to do whatever they want. This liberation may make them lose their ability to empathize and be a compassionate individual. As we have the freedom to be different, we build certain walls around ourselves, making it difficult to communicate with fellow community members.

In a community where each member has different ideas and the freedom to express those ideas, there can be nothing but chaos. Yes, we are individuals with the right to express ourselves and our opinions, but sometimes we may neglect our responsibilities to the community because of this.

Waste of Precious Time

As mentioned above, individualism creates a divide among the people within the community, forcing them to isolate themselves from time to time. The idea of “me time” and being a lone wolf are prominent in today’s society. People think they don’t need anyone and can depend solely on themselves.

However, most people misunderstand the concept. The idea of spending time alone doesn’t mean disconnecting yourself from the rest of the world. Rather, it means to think of ways you can give back and become a better human being. You must reach out to people who need your help and support, shedding this culture of individualism.

A hummingbird at a feeder in springtime

A Meaningless Life

All the success and wealth are worthless if you have no one to share those achievements with. Although you need to help yourself first before you help anyone else, the idea is a little misunderstood by people. People have always been searching for meaning in their lives, but what they don’t realize is that meaning and a sense of purpose only come when this culture of individualism is no more.

To find the true essence of life, we must look beyond our selfish needs and try to give back to the community.

You Become Selfish

Too much exposure and belief in individualistic values may bring out the selfish side in people. You become trapped in your labyrinth, thinking only about yourself. We become too engrossed in self-love that we forget that the best expression of love is sharing it with others.

Team work vs. individual concept

Learn How to Shed Individualism from Bishop Lenley Newland

If you wish to shed the clutches of individualism and foster a more meaningful and precious bond with your brothers and sisters, read The Spirit of Individualism. Individualism is at the root of all evil, for it makes people sin and act selfishly.

Bishop Newland offers an efficient review of individualism and how it creates divisions and differences between people within the community to become a better version of yourself and get closer to your fellow people. He helps you shed the coat of individualism and become the best version of yourself, a version that cares for others and is kind towards everyone else.

Get in touch with Bishop Newland to share your review and thoughts.

About the Author

The author of this blog, Marie Miller, is a strong advocate of companionship and support within communities. She and her sister run a small support group that organizes food drives, book clubs, and weekly church services to help the community and its individuals, driving out the negativity caused by individualism. Both sisters have met Bishop Lenley Newland on several occasions, and he has shown immense support and appreciation for their efforts in combating the effects of individualism. She describes The Spirit of Individualism as her inspiration and guiding light on this path.

lenleynewland

Bishop Lenley Newland hails from Trelawny, Jamaica. From his childhood, he was a regular attendee at Sunday school and grew up learning the acts and teachings of the gospel at the New Testament Church of God. By 1973, at the age of 18, he had developed a strong personal relationship with Christ and served as a local youth leader and evangelist in his local church. It wasn’t long before his Pastor realized he had the potential to be a minister someday and, therefore, in 1974, Bishop Newland was appointed as an Assistant Pastor at one of the local churches in the district which signified the official start of a ministry experience that continues to date, over 46 years later. From an Assistant Pastor he gradually extended his outreach to nearby overseas territories duties as Pastor and District Bishop for various churches and became the National Evangelist Cayman Islands and Jamaica. His service has also taken him to different parts of the world, where he got the chance to preach the message of the Lord to large audiences across Europe and America to people of all ages and backgrounds. After his initial years of being an ordained minister in Jamaica, he traveled to the United Kingdom in 1989 and went on to serve the New Testament Church of God in similar capacities, occupying different offices and positions within the church. He continued serving faithfully as the National Evangelist for nearly six and half years and later as Pastor and District Bishop in different parts of the UK and was also appointed as Evangelist Director. Bishop Newland is a proud founder of the Redemption Faith Worship Centre (RFWC), previously known as Redemption Faith Assemblies UK and preached out three congregations over the course 11 years. In June 2017, after being involved in a range of ministerial endeavors in the UK for almost three decades, he decided to migrate to Canada under God’s divine direction. Bishop Newland currently resides in Ontario, where he actively continues serving the Church of God. Bishop Newland has a strong belief and immense passion for fulfilling the Great Commission and has worked to the best of his abilities to spread the gospel across the world. He is a dedicated church planter and has proven his commitment by preaching in all 14 parishes across Jamaica, in addition to propagating the message across churches in Aruba, Grand Cayman, Canada, and the UK and USA. Bishop Newland is also recognized for his efforts as a preacher of Camp/ Crusade, Convention, and Tenting Meetings. When it comes to Bishop Newland’s achievements in the field of personal education, the list is quite extensive. He earned a degree in Church Management & Leadership at Hampstead Bible College in London, England, and then went on to pursue an Honorary Master’s Degree for Service to Ministry from the European Theological Seminary graduate school in Germany in 2000. Next, he completed a program for Community Service Chaplaincy at Church of God Lee University in the USA. To further deepen his understanding of the Bible, Bishop Newland has also completed his Ph.D. in theology from Mount Olive Bible Institute & Seminary, USA. Additionally, he holds a diploma in Health and Social Care and is certified in Level 2 of Principle of Dementia Care. Among his extensive humanitarian work are his services as a chaplain in various state-owned and private prisons. He works hard to support Christian Care and has served as a Chaplain Manager in England for over seven years. Bishop Newland is a Covenant International University & Seminary (CIUS) accredited International Chaplain and Ambassador-at-Large with the UN and has also held office as their UK Director of Chaplain, UK Campus. In August 2019, by God’s glory, Bishop Newland was appointed by the CIUS’s Board of Directors (in Texas, USA) as a Vice President with responsibility for Canada, Director-General and Dean of Chaplaincy for the institute’s Ontario Campus. He is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Commissioned by The Canadian Clinical Counsellors Association. Bishop Newland is widely recognized for his practical and dynamic teaching style that makes him an effective communicator of God’s Word. In January last year, he published his first book on Amazon, called The Spirit of Individualism, which aims to awaken a genuine change in people’s attitude in these challenging times. His next book, titled ‘A Series of Messages for Now and Post COVID-19,’ was recently published in November and is available on Amazon as well. As an enthusiastic author, Bishop Newland has also written a number of other manuscripts that are awaiting publication. He and his wife, Julet are happily married and he is a proud father of four adult daughters and is blessed to be a grandfather as well.

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