Do most religious people seem brainwashed and blindly accepting?

Question

First off I'd like to state that I am a Roman Catholic and I would gladly lie my life down for my religion. But here is my big question. To many people does it seem like most religions are brainwashed and blindly accept a book as the turth? From my experience many religious people I know will be like beleive in Jesus or suffer in the end. I say ok but what if someone is great in life and helps many people or even sacrifices their life to save someone else do they deserve hell? And their reply will be if they dont beleive in God then yes. Things like this shock me and Im like WTF that is such bs and sounds like they have been brainwashed to think a certain way. I for one know I genuinely believe in God and I gladly question things about him and religion because honestly it makes my faith stronger. I find that those who blindly accept things are just in my opinion not using thier free will. We were given free will to question things so I believe questioning religion is a good thing to do

Answer 1

This question (or variations of it) gets asked at least every three days here. Perhaps we ought to have a message board labeled by topic, so that those who think Christians are __________ (insert derogatory comment here) can have the answer.

(Oh, wait! They don't really WANT an answer! They want to have people AGREE with them!)

Sigh

Answer 2

To be brainwashed is not all that bad. It keeps your brain " clean". As to 'blindly accepting', I would say, in most cases, yes. But even the apostle Paul asked us to ' keep on testing' [ 2 Corinthians 13;5] . So when the Catholic faith teaches the trinity doctrine, and such a word cannot be found in the Bible, and many scriptures, mainly in the book of John, separate Jesus from his heavenly Father, surely some doubt should arise. But the 'threat' of burning in hell forever stops many Catholics from 'testing' the truth of that statement. I'm sorry, but Catholics do tend to believe blindly what they are taught, without question. Where a proper study of the Bible would show up many false teachings. To take a scripture such as " I and my Father are one" literally,, out of context, and without referral to the many others which differentiate Jesus and Almighty God, his Father, is not logical. And the cruncher might be Proverbs 8; 22-31 where Jesus' origin is explained. The Catholic faith avoids this scripture like the plague and claims it refers to a quality...wisdom. Since when does a quality feel emotion like fondness?. I could go on.

Answer 3

It is a sad matter that humans are basically a very lazy creature, and is also easily frightened. To ask questions is a necessity if one to develop character and intelligence, but for the general population it is far easier to 'go along', than to think for ones self. Questions outside of a churches paradigm are discouraged by most religious leaders. Why? Because most do not have intelligent answers that still the water of a doubtful mind. For this reason, many of the faithful are leaving mainstream religion to seek for answers that are not based on worn out doctrines that kept believers in line. Remember this; Your relationship with God is the most PERSONAL relationship you will ever have while living life as a Human Being. NO ONE may judge your worthiness except God. So, continue to grow with your questions, as it is said: "Ask, and you SHALL receive."

Answer 4

He's just a man getting through life the best he can
He's a not a scientist, he programs a computer
Before that he sold cars to pay a student loan now he receives pity
From his family - his friends say how could he
Turn his back on on reason worshipping
A God finding truth through fear and mind control
He's just a man trying to explain how
He found the word of God could make his life seem less insane
So he shares what he's read, what he understands, it makes
sense to him, it makes perfect sense to him, in fact
He's never seen so clearly
Turned his back on free will - has he lost his mind?
He'd rather kneel down than take charge of his life
And he knows what people think, but it dosen't sway him
He can read the writings on the wall
'Cause he knows how people treat, how they treat each other
A sacrifice to benefit the all
Don't try to judge him, his theological ideas
His hopes may be false but his happiness is real
Don't try to judge him, he's just a man

Answer 5

I actually don't think so, because the ones I have met are people who just go to church because they feel they HAVE to, those who go because their MOM MAKES them go, or just flat out don't unless its really important. People now don't have much Faith, and don't bother to read the door and see the deep meaning in it. The Bible says that God loves all men. Even the terrorists. Just because the Muslim and the Catholic, or Protestant disagree on some or several points doesn't mean only one of them will actually get to Heaven. Those few who believe that the Baptist won't get to Heaven before me, is wrong.

Answer 6

A frighteningly large amount of religious people do seem completely brainwashed, and don't seek any truth or proof in their religion. I understand that everyone has a need to believe in something, but I find it quite sad when I see someone dedicate their entire life to something that has no substantial base.

Answer 7

It's not something we blindly accept. God opens our eyes to the Truth. I'm not brainwashed either, my life is lived to praise Him...in all things that I do. My goal in life is to be a woman after God's own heart...like David was a man after God's own heart. If that makes me seem brainwashed and blind, that's fine. Think that way...but, I'm Christ's and I have the Mind of Christ. For it is not me who lives but Christ who lives through me.

Answer 8

Good for you! I, too, ask alot of questions about my faith. I agree that it makes faith stronger. I believe that God wants me to understand as much as I can about the world around me and that includes my Church. The standard "you must be born again" answers get on my nerves too. Some people are just mindless followers, I guess. Sad.

Answer 9

Some are brainwashed and blindly accepting and some are not.

I used to be an atheist. Over a period of time however, I grew convinced of the existence of the Christian God, and ultimately committed my life to Christ (e.g., see http://www.godsci.org/gs/chri/testimony/seek.html ).

For scientific and intellectual evidence for the existence of God, see http://www.godsci.org/gs/godsci/evidence.htm

Cordially,
John

Answer 10

Its better to read about every major religion and then make statements/remarks which can offend the follower of the particular religion, Most cases in Islam they read and dont just go by what preachers say.