I have nothing against Christians....but I can't help but think that many are brainwashed....especially into giving money to the church (i know what tything is), and just being close minded to many things. What do you think?
2006-06-05 16:48:15 · 12 answers · asked by AuroraBorealis 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Please dont get defensive...im not trying to offend anyone.
2006-06-05 16:59:20 · update #1
My sister and I both believe that religion IS the opiate of the masses. I am an agnostic, while she considers herself to be a Christian. The important distinction here is that religion and faith are two different things. Even for those who are believers, Religion has often gotten in the way of faith (not to mention science).
The fact is that Religion has always been used by political leaders to control the masses. The Caesars said they spoke to the gods in order to convince the people to do what they wanted. The Japanese Emperors claimed to speak with the gods in order to get the people to follow them. The Greek kings claimed to converse with the gods in order to get the people to follow them.
I sometimes wonder why so many people believe that Moses (a political leader) actually DID speak with god in order to get the people to follow him. Why do we believe Moses and not the Caesars or the Emperors -- or even Joseph Smith or Pat Robertson.
On a personal level, I believe that Abraham (who was a very wealthy man living in a foreign land) and Moses (who was a political leader) claimed to speak with god in order to increase their power base. I see no difference between them and the pagan leaders who claimed to speak with gods. I see no difference between them and the French kings who started wars using the slogan "Dieu est mon droit" (God is my right). I see no difference between them and Pat Robertson who recently claimed that the Pacific Northwest will be hit by a tsunami.
You think that many Christians are brainwashed. I wonder why you limit yourself to Christians. Many people of all faiths are. Many non-believers are brainwashed in other ways.
It comforts us to belong -- and it doesn't matter if it is belonging to the Catholic Church, a Protestant Sect, The Mormon Church, The Muslim Religion, AA, The Republican Party or the Country Club.
The good news is that there are men of faith as well as nonbelievers who strive to be good men. and make the world a better place. Religion is losing some of its power over the people. While George Bush may lament this, I revel in it.
2006-06-05 17:13:17 · answer #1 · answered by Ranto 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Neither. Ask your self this query: does faith manipulate you, or do you manipulate faith? Your reaction could be "neither", and theists could reply the identical. The Pope would say "do not use condoms", but when the state does no longer outlaw condoms, the Pope particularly has no manipulate. In a today's secular state, politicians, the media, and fundamental businesses have a bigger manipulate over the hundreds. Even within the center a long time, the church wanted the secular experts to bring out the precise manipulate. If faith disappeared fully in a single day, you'll nonetheless have the bare vigour of the state controlling the hundreds.
2016-09-08 21:13:06 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When we Christians give away our money to the church it doesn't mean that we are brainwashed. God blesses those that give charity. For example. You see a homeless guy on the sidewalk. You give him money thinking he's going to get food. You come back 5 mins later and the dude is drinkin a forty. God is happy that you made a sacrifice and that it isn't your place to penalize the man for using "your" money the wrong way.
I tried to explain that the best way I could. I hope I wasn't too confusing.
2006-06-05 16:55:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I'm a Christian and open minded to things. The Church I go to doesn't suck you dry of money. I guess you just need to get to the right church. I believe in offerings to help out, but if they are buying gold watches and beautifying with materialistic things then I wonder if they are really serving God.
2006-06-05 16:57:36 · answer #4 · answered by lees girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love that quote, opium, right? Its so true, but some times you need a little something to keep you going. Not all Christians are that way, just the ones with no brains and there are some of those in every bunch. :)
2006-06-05 16:54:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well ill have nothing against muslims too but killing name of the God its just ...brainwashed...too but at least money wont hurt
2006-06-05 17:01:55 · answer #6 · answered by mario 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not every religion, only those that are wielded. Those religions that everyone else thinks are silly aren't, because people too busy thinking they're silly to put them to use. But clearly mainstream religions are.
2006-06-05 16:55:35 · answer #7 · answered by kaplah 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
religion can be explained many ways, but my own theory is it's a type of terror managment since we're the only known speices that's aware that we're gonna die. i've been told there's a book about this theory, but i havent read it. it makes the most sense to me since the only other explanation is something unknowable (SUPERnatural)
2006-06-05 16:54:32 · answer #8 · answered by fattychunks 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe the internet and Yahoo Answers is the true opiate of the people...!
2006-06-05 17:07:57 · answer #9 · answered by cdf-rom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish that people would stop asking these questions over and over. :)
No, I do not believe that to be true becaus a lot of t people do not believe in God or worship in that way, unfortunately.
2006-06-05 16:54:16 · answer #10 · answered by just julie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋