In-Group Solidarity - A How To

When is expressing in-group solidarity healthy?  When does it go too far?  When does it go rancid and poisonous?

Three roles that increase in-group solidarity (for better or for worse):

• Patriots: by being committed to promoting the good of the in-group and expressing a singleness of task, mind, values and ethics.  

• Think of way patriotism, shared ideology, common work environment can bring people together.  
• Does good come from this?  
• How can we encourage it?  
• At what point is it taken too far

• Rivals/combatants: by being opposed to other another group or groups. Others are competition not resources or aids. Sharing a common enemy.

• Think of the cruelness of runaway capitalism, bigotry, prejudice, xenophobia, etc.  
• Also, think of the way you've been united with others because of a common enemy (in family[during a fight], personal life, national life [wars], etc.).  
• How can good even come from this?  
• How can we encourage good competition?  
• At what point is it taken too far?

• Volunteers/philanthropist: by being committed to promoting the good of out-groups. Since taking three semesters of Greek in seminary, I love the term 'philanthropist' - lover of mankind. 

• Can't you think of ways you've been brought together with others by a common task of helping others (9-11, Haiti, volunteering, church, etc.)?  
• What are the benefits of this?  
• How can we encourage it?  
• What are the obstacles?