You're a christian right? Heh, how ironic.....
I'm no conformist. I'm rather flexible in how I use my mind. Lol.
As far as being a part of a greater machine is concerned, I'm a part of none.
I don't serve ideology. I'm not one of its acolytes. When I make meaning of something, it's largely independent of what the rest of the collective thinks. I can't play copy-cat in this game and nor can I fall for the idea that I must be a part of a group mentality. I have to trust my own intuition.
I'm more of an individualist and anarchist in my approach to the faith. I do my own thing, my own way and I follow my own agenda because it's between me and God.
If I am in some way to be connected to the rest of the collective it is through my relationship with God, not an ideology, creed or philosophy, or through conformity or enforcement of that ideology/philosophy. Likewise, anyone who wants to connect with me as a part of that collective must not connect by means of dogma, banners, slogans and bumper stickers, but their own personal relationship with God.
While much of Christianity is conformist in its approach to faith, I've realised it doesn't have to be that way. The mistake is to think that one must become a part of the collective by conformity to a creed or ideology. Much of Christianity has encouraged that thinking. I believe otherwise. We become a part of the collective by our personal relationship with God, not conformity to ideology.
The reason why conformity is employed as the main tool, instrument or mechanism for pursuing the goals of Christianity is because our religious leaders don't believe we're smart enough to think for ourselves. They have more confidence in their own plans, designs and agendas than those of their followers. If we have any achievements in the way of spirituality, it is by and according to their logic that we have achieved something. They don't give us credit.
Christianity by nature doesn't enforce conformity. That is why there are so many different denominations. The denominations themselves believe in and enforce conformity, but they derive from something greater than themselves that doesn't enforce conformity. You could say that what the individual denominations do is "cultic," but that comes from their belief in conformity. Conformity is used largely because Christians don't even know they're enforcing conformity. If the word "conformity" was employed in our vocabulary our eyes would be opened and we would promptly stop doing it. This is one of the major paradigm shifts the present generation of Christianity needs . . .
Of course, this may mean that Christianity may become somewhat "diluted" -- something fundamentalists hate -- but it is something I see as necessary if we are to become more spiritual. Dilution is a good, rather than a bad thing. I'm a believer in soft power. Soft power rocks.
When in doubt . . . add more water.
That's the solution.
As far as Christianity is concerned, it's not the religion, but how you approach it, that can make it a "cult."
Pronunciation: \ˈkəlt\ Function:noun Usage:often attributive Etymology:French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate — more at 
