> Just like a tent revival, sinners are welcome as long as they already want to repent, but there's not going to be a lot there to make you feel good if you are

> Just like a tent revival, sinners are welcome as long as they already want to repent, but there's not going to be a lot there to make you feel good if you aren't a believer. I think this is a really good analogy I'd not thought of, but incorrect in the last part. I think there are (and historically, were [1]) plenty of casual participants in tent revivals, made to feel good because they are collectively part of something energetic and out of the ordinary that their peers were also part of. Such person thinks consciously or subconsciously "I may not buy (or even understand) what preacher-man is shouting about, but it sure is fun be with lots of people dancing, yelling, and letting loose, and they seem to like me when I participate. Maybe if I'm even more energetic than guy next to me, I'll get even more approval from these people." Not every participant, but I have to think that was one motivation in many cases. I'll leave to others to draw parallels to present day. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Great_Awakening https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Great_Awakening