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Too Loud

By David Bachelor, PhD

Studies show the world is getting louder. Most of us have found a way to adapt, either by noise-cancelling devices or mental inoculation. For some people though, this increase in audio stimulation is more than they can handle. Here are some headlines about institutions that offer refuge for these folks.

In Montgomery County, Texas, the digital news source ‘The Woodlands’ featured in its June 2 edition, “The Woodlands Children’s Museum Offers ‘Quiet Discovery Hours’ to Support Neurodiverse Families.” The museum’s intent is to be a safe environment for children who have sensory processing differences. The article notes, “For many children, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), standard museum environments can be overwhelming due to bright lights, loud noises, large crowds, and unpredictable circumstances.” The program will be offered each Saturday, one hour before opening to the general public.

The Ikea company newsletter Blue News on June 5^th contained, “Ikea Has Introduced the “Quiet Hour” – What’s Behind It.” The program began in May at all Ikea stores in Switzerland. The company states, “Shopping can quickly become overwhelming: bright lights, high noise levels, lots of people – an unpleasant experience for some.” The program features earplugs and sunglasses for those who request them, while turning off background music and limiting loudspeaker announcements to emergency notifications.

On June 5^th, the German news agency DW examined, “Why Businesses Are Offering ‘Quiet Hour’.” The group behind the initiative is Gemeinsam Zusammen (Together Together). Their spokesperson explained, “We want the Quiet Hour to provide relief for people with invisible disabilities. Their nervous systems are often permanently overwhelmed.” The group hopes to raise public awareness about how, “… colorful signs, rattling shopping carts and different overlapping scents are overwhelming for many people.”

Since ancient days the Bible has been a champion for quiet. When His people were faced with invasion, God told them, “The Holy One of Israel says, ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength’” (Isa 30:15). His people would not listen. After His people were in exile, God had the prophets remind them, “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him … it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD” (Lam 3:25-26).

In the New Testament the believers in Thessalonica were told, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands” (1Th 4:11). Jesus modeled this behavior for His disciples. He was often surrounded by crowds pressing in on Him, but He made it His practice to find a quiet place to pray (Luk 5:15-16). When His disciples were overwhelmed by the demands people were putting on them, Jesus told them, “”Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mar 6:31).

The trend in American Christianity is to offer high energy worship services with bright lights and loud music. I hope that we will also follow the example of Jesus and value quiet too. Maybe then our sanctuaries will be known as a better place to spend a quiet hour than in a museum or supermarket.