Copycats ?

Did you ever hear little kids squabble about someone being a copycat?  The little guys seem to take serious offense at another being a copycat.  Copycats also perplex police....at least on the cop shows on TV.  They don't like finding out they have a copycat killer on their hands...it makes their investigative life more difficult.

Something I have noticed over time as I have attended some churches (particularly those of high structure and formality) for events (funerals and weddings to be exact) is how much many of those in the pews take on the pious dignity of those in the robes at the front for the duration of their time at the service.  I'm not knocking their allegiance or sense of feeling for being in a religious service, but having known many of those folks outside of the church for quite some time it just struck me odd that there should be such a significant change in their demeanor just from entering a place of worship.  They actually, many times, mimicked the folded hands-heads bowed routine of the robed ones, offering up a seemingly pious front for those who would observe it.  That all changed once they hit the parking lot.  It seemed to me there was a bit of copycatting going on.

Is that kind of comporting oneself real?  Is that a sign of real christian beliefs and demeanor?  Or is it show?  I have to say, copycatting other Christians isn't confined the parishes where the robed ones ply their trade.  It is all over to one degree or another.  It discourages me to see Christians copycatting Christians.  It seems to me that their efforts are more on "being seen" than knowing Christ, that one thing which we are called upon to do.



To my way of thinking there is only so much energy to go around in any of our lives what with the routine of daily living we all face.  Doesn't it seem more prudent to use that effort to being more like Christ than being like our neighbor?  Just sayin' !