Monday, May 15, 2006

Do pretty people get more attention in the church?

A recent article stated this:
"Studies show attractive students get more attention and higher evaluations from their teachers, good-looking patients get more personalized care from their doctors, and handsome criminals receive lighter sentences than less attractive convicts. But how much do looks matter at work ?The ugly truth, according to economics professors Daniel Hamermesh of the University of Texas and Jeff Biddle of Michigan State University, is that plain people earn 5 to 10 percent less than people of average looks, who in turn earn 3 to 8 percent less than those deemed good-looking."

Even babies are known to respond more positively to those with pretty faces.

My question is, if there is that strong of a cultural bias towards pretty people, do "pretty people" then get preferential attention in the church? Do they get prayed more for, visited more, more friends? If so, how do we overcome this?

2 comments:

Matt Smith said...

Being of the attractive in other aspects type, who has never had the clear skin, or tons of friends.. I think you get attention no matter what, it just depends on if its negative or positive. The not so pretty will get picked on and the pretty will get stared at, its all attention, just different forms.

In our church, as its the only one I've been too recently, it seems to not be the case. Everyone pretty much gets a hello now and then, everyone has a chance to play some sort of roll, and everyone seems to be treated equally if they just raise their hand and say hey Im here and very interested. Up until recently, when I made myself noticed, it was just enter church, sit, listen, leave. But now James talks to me, others talk to me, and I get more and more attention.

So to answer your question, No, I don't believe in Church that pretty people get more attention. Outside, most definetly though.

James Nored said...

Matt,

Thanks for your perspective. It is good to hear that you feel that people are treated equally in this church. This is what the church is called to, and one of the "benefits" of being a member.

No matter what the world may say about us, we have value because we are created in God's image. In the church, we seek to love one another regards of looks because Christ loved us when we looked "unlovely" because of sin.