If you were brainwashed and or were indoctrinated would you know it?

Question

This philosophical question is about how you came to believe what you believe. Did it come from an earnest search with a practical methodology, or we're you unduly influenced and not careful to test out claims that were made as well as intently researching alternatives?

RandyGE, even I scrutinized my beliefs. This is how I avoid being unwitting indoctrinated.

mick987g, this is true of some and that is exactly how they break free however not everyone cares so much about truth as they do existential comfort.

Alex D., good for you.

Roni, sounds like you went through a worth while process. However my question for you is did you go back to what was familiar or did you find something else? If you did go back to something familiar how do you know you did not do so just because it was comfortable. If you were raised in another tradition you might just as easily went back to it as you would with yours.

brahden, indoctrination happens not only through ones parents but also through organizations, social groups, texts, etc. It is natural for you to experience these influenced by as you go along about your life. In short don't use your parents as a litmus test to whether or not you are indoctrinated. In fact most indoctrination happens on the subconscious level because most who are indoctrinating you are indoctrinated themselves.

beverly6343 BINGO!

A.W>F>GOD, you make spirituality to be such an either or process. I encourage you to look for the nuances. You can still believe in God without taking cart blanc everything your church teaches you. In fact if you do not keep exposing yourself to various beliefs you will eventually self indoctrinate yourself by singing the same songs with the same message over and over and hearing the same sermons preached at you week after week. It takes it's toll no matter how strong you think you are.

indygirl5061, sounds like you are still in process. I am happy for you.

Sig, sounds like you are also in process. One comment though, even if you faith is a ROCK the truth is still the truth no matter what the doctrine of your faith is. But the sheer fact that everyone reading this has been exposed to this question is a protection of types. Hopefully this will stimulate ones critical thinking skills. And if there are aspects to their world view that are dysfunctional they will be open to change. Really no truth can be found without a willingness to modulate to the truths we have found via our own experiences.

brahden, Who's to say I haven't already woken up?

Answer 1

I think that everybody is different - some are able to figure things out on their own, and others may be so influenced that it wouldn't matter - it would be a miracle for them to figure things out on their own and have their own opinion. Hard to say....

Answer 2

"If there were no exterior influences in our lives we would have died within 3 days of our birth."
Trahnel

I believe what I believe because I test everything that is presented to me. Even the basis of my belief has been scrutinized for truthfulness. I have had to adjust my beliefs to adhere to the truths that I have discovered. I research other beliefs and philosophies to compare them against what I believe and my beliefs stand strong and true to what I have discovered.
The search for truth is an ongoing process that lasts a life time. I will pursue all avenues to gain the knowledge and wisdom necessary to support or adjust my faith accordingly. All of the pieces of the puzzle must fit without forcing them.
If I have been brainwashed into thinking and acting this way then I guess I wouldn't really know that I was. But the way it is satisfies my curiosity so I will live with it.

Is the glass half empty or half full?
My view is based on whether one is emptying the glass or filling it.
Otherwise the question is mute.

Answer 3

If I were brainwashed I think my dad would have killed someone.

I grew up and still live in a split belief home. My father is an agnostic who leans towards native american religions and my mother is a devout christian woman.

I was raised going to church but when I came home I got a completely different take on things. Ovet the years I rebelled and went my own way. I found God through expieriences and everyday life and it's struggles and hardships. I saw friends get into hirrific accidents and still live, sometimes walk away from crashes at 100+ miles an hour without a scratch. I saw cancers disappear before chemo was even attemtped.

I researched and am still researching my beliefs.

I did not come to this love for God because someone told me to. I came open heartedly because I knew it to be correct and the only way.

Answer 4

It certainly is an open question, because the asker is also affected by the environment and therefore susceptible to be indoctrinated, and therefore susceptible to ignore what doesn't reflect your beliefs, your so called truth or what you want to point.

The question is quite good though; how much are we willing to test out beliefs?; I'd like to believe I can put my faith to test (considering I'm not particularly zealous) and little faith as I have but in practice I'd most likely find a way to rationalize evidence to support my beliefs turn it into the so called truth i seek.

Answer 5

Probably not. Brainwashed persons are oblivious to their condition. That is why they usually have to be taken to a detox center in order to be deprived of the influence of false, outside influences. We learned a lot about this in the Korean War. As to your note, most people in a particular society do not realize how much they have been brainwashed, as the society and culture where they reside has set their norms. If only people used your methods, we might live in a more peaceful world where people were more accepting of one and another!

Answer 6

I used to think my beliefs were my beliefs just because I was raised that way (indoctrinated), so at 21 I did a reevaluation. I looked at the all the major religions and broke them apart and really questioned what was being proposed. It was a very enlightening experience and now I know that my beliefs are truly my own.

Answer 7

after a while... yes. i say this from personal experience. as long as the person goes through changes in life.. then i think that they would know that they had been brainwashed or indctrinated..(for instance the sniper's son remember* malvo.) but once the person has been brainwashed and sticks to the same kind of environment there's no mental variation.. its like a little child whatever they learn sticks to their brain like when you teach them whats wrong from right.. but once that child grows up and goes through changes and listen to others like in school(or pick up on cuss words) they learn other things but they'll still know they they've been taught what's wrong from right (its already been programmed to the mind) another example would be rape.. being brainwashed and told that it is completely normal when its not but once they get counseling they'll realize that the rapist was wrong hahaha lets not go there.. well i just wanted to give you a piece of my mind..

Answer 8

Very few people question and/or research thoroughly their beliefs. They believe then try to justify. Having a book for the purpose, gives them the ultimate authority in their pursuit of religious fervour.

Answer 9

I wasn't brainwashed!.....hmmm

I was indoctrinated from an early age, but I've since questioned everything I believed, and I've changed somethings, and kept somethings the same.

Answer 10

As every psychologist knows, we are products of our environment. My parents indoctrinated me with Christianity for the first 14 years of my life, and it took 3 long years of rebellion and struggly to break free from it.