Does religion restrict learning?

Question

I know that some bash evolution, for example, just because it does not flow with their beliefs. They often times are very ignorant of its fundamental ideas. So, does religion hinder learning and understanding? I think you all know my answer...

Answer 1

I think religious beliefs are very much tied to providing answers for less educated people. I note less educated people tend to flock to the most fundamentalist of churches, while more educated people tend to flock to the more liberal churches. I find that fundamentalist churches say they are the only truth there is and other religions are a lie. They teach people not to question the tenets of beliefs of their own church, but instead to learn to attack other churches. This is not an exercise in education. It is an exercise in intellectual prostration.

Answer 2

I am a Christian, and in high school biology I fought it tooth and nail. But I studied everything I could get my hands on at the time - which was mid 80's. I'm sure a lot has changed since, and I haven't kept up with it.

Point is, I studied it more than my classmates. Made an "A" in the class. What I found most offensive is that it was taught in the same way that most people find offensive about religion. "This doesn't mesh with what you believe to be true, but you must believe it because according to my way of determining truth, it is true and if you don't agree you'll fail." Dogma. And to a child, telling them they'll fail is almost as bad as threatening them with hell.

I agree there are parts of it that can be proven. Micro evolution we can see. I was taught that the "big bang" was fact. It is one explanation for the origin of the universe. It is not the only explanation. And it's not fact. Calling people names and assessing things about their character and capacity to think - well, once you bring that into the classroom, what would you expect of kids?

If a child is raised to believe in God and believe that honesty is an important characteristic, asking them to answer what their school teachers say whether they honestly believe the answer or not can become a crisis for them. It was for me.

I looked back and realized that I had never been required to believe what I was taught, just to regurgitate the "correct" answer on the test. And that's what I did in biology. I gave the "required" answer, and then put what I believed on the back of the test.

How many kids feel pressured to choose between their values and science? Can you see where that might make a child grow into an adult averse to evolution in any form and divorced from even it's fundamental ideas?

Answer 3

Most definitely. Just like the whole "We did NOT evolve from monkeys!!! Pout! Pout! Pout!" Evolution doesn't even claim that. We evolved from a common ancestor.

I have had to relearn many aspects of science that i ignored growing up because I was raised in a Christian home and was taught against many things that are fundamental in science. Science and Religion are like oil and water. And the only way to emulsify them, it seems, is to let religion into our science classes. Why they cannot be stored in separate containers is beyond me.

Answer 4

Yes, it can. You have already mentioned the ignorant beliefs about creationism and there are some churches that focus on certain issues such as homosexuality and gay marriage. They ignore all of the studies that show that homosexuality is not a choice and that gay marriage has no effect on the institution of marriage. It can be a form of brain washing. Don't forget cults like the one formed by Jim Jones. When he was about to be exposed as a fraud, he had all of his followers drink poisoned Kool Aid. And they were ignorant and brain washed enough to drink it.

Answer 5

For someone who says that those who are against evolution are ignorant of its concepts, I think the same could be said of you who are attempting to bash religion. I think you are probably ignorant about religion and have this image of it which is a caricature at best.

Answer 6

One thing I learned in Christian school was how truly intolerant they are. They did refuse to teach about evolution, and I would ask about it, and be forced to sit out in the hall. Then I would ask why Genesis 32:30 contradicted John 1:18, and got the same treatment. They're insecure, and when you challenge their belief system, and try to introduce open-mindedness, they'll punish you.

Answer 7

Hindusim has explained a lot about evolution. Our religion has never restricted learning in anyway.
I am sorry I do not know your answer.

Answer 8

well, if im not mistaken, science was outlawed during the middle ages... which is a couple hundred years we lost.... we may have a cure for some of the diseases had science not been outlawed by christians... so yes, religion hinders learning and understanding...

Answer 9

It can. But, isn't the reverse also true? Do your beliefs stop you from studying what religions believe? It is entirely possible to learn and understand any opposing point of view without agreeing with it.

Answer 10

I imagine it restricts learning of porn, x-rated movies, young people learning about or having sex, adult movies and video games, gambling, drinking and drugging, things like that - that young kids shouldn't be doing anyway.

As far as science and evolution--these kids would still need to learn it in school.

Answer 11

It prevents learning and undrestanding of science, birth control, tolerance, free thinking and individuality.

This I believe: Don S needs to go away