Why is it that a lot of Christians don't think for themselves?

Question

I am a Buddhist, and I believe in using my mind and deciding what to believe. In almost ever single religious question posted some idiot has to chime in with "Jesus will save you!", or just quote some passage in the bible, rather than taking the time to read and think about the question. One of the things that first made me interested in the philosophy of Buddhism is the idea that it could be wrong, so you need to work out what you believe on your own. What's wrong with that?

I don't mean idiot as an insult, but as someone who doesn't think. If you take it as an insult perhaps you need to think about it.

Answer 1

If you ask a question like this in the future you may want to put "a lot" in all caps because it seems like a lot of people thought you meant all Christians. Maybe it if was written in all caps they'd realize you were trying not to generalize.

Anyway, the ones that don't think for themselves are typically the same ones who grew up as Christians or were indoctrinated during a very rough time in their lives (or so it seems in my experience). It's just easier not to question, I guess. As one christian I know likes to say a lot (paraphrased), "We are only humans, who are we to question god?" in reference to the bible.

Answer 2

I see where you are coming from, the mind frame, (very limited thinking and wisdom) that's okay I really do understand, while there is no need to get offensive and call other people names or insults, like you have, if you had enough life experience and some criterion as well as a tiny bit of maturity let alone, knowledge, (which is power) you would not belittle others, or other people's religion or beliefs, (remember we must respect others religion, gender, ethnic background, whether we like to or not) it's not even a choice any more. You must respect other people's beliefs, none is said you have to agree with them, but remember the golden rule, treat others as you'd like to be treated, do they not teach that in Buddhism? What a shame if they don't, and if you have the idea that Buddhism could be wrong why be a part of something you are not even sure of, it's like going on vacation without getting a map or driving directions, (I think it's quite foolish) not knowing where that path will lead you. You choose whatever you choose to believe, it is all a matter of choice, but we must remember that there are deceitful paths, and the wide path is comfortable, every action, every word, every decision brings a consequence. And, some day we will give account of absolutely everything we've done while on this earth.
Peace to you!

Answer 3

Monotheism in general is a very authoritative system, meaning that it's oldest basis comes from attempting to impose some kind of order upon a group of people. Christianity has evolved from Catholicism which has a definitve hierarchy. In general, the more an organization focuses on authority, the less "free thinking" is permitted. As thus, Catholicism is less free thinking than Protestanism, and protestantism is less free thinking than polytheistic religions or buddhism; people have to "Abide by the rules" and the more people are expected to abide, the less they're willing to slide.

Answer 4

I think for myself. Although I am a christian I do not agree with some of the christian principles whether or not they are wrong. For one, I am pro-choice, when alot of christians are not. I believe that women deserve the right to choose.
Thats a pretty generalized statement that you make about christians. I don't think you are an idiot to believe Jesus will save you. It is what I believe. Sometimes the only answer to a question is that yes Jesus will save you. It just depends.

Answer 5

I don't know where you've been lately, but if you've been here I think you could not have missed the fact that a heck of a lot of the idiotic questions and answers are from people who are not Christians. In fact I'd say the Christians seem to be getting "bashed" more than their fair share. Of course some of them are as brainwashed as any of the more rampant religious. They certainly don't have a monopoly on stupidity. (But they're probably doing less harm with it than others are!) I'm not a Christian!

Answer 6

Probably because a lot of people in general don't think for themselves. Sheeple exist in every religion, though granted, Buddhism takes a bit more work than a lot of people are willing to put in. (unless you mean Pure Land Buddhism, in which case, it's just like eastern flavored Christianity.) I will say that I don't think the prolific posters on Yahoo answers are a representative sampling of their respective religions, or lack of them. I see stuff here every day that I think I have heard said once or twice in my real life, max.

However, the beat all thing I have heard said to me by a Christian did get said in person:
"You're not really a pagan, you just think you are."

Answer 7

Oh my frigging God I totally agree!!!! You're the first person I've met who has the sense to think that! I am Buddhist too, as well as Wiccan. I hate how Christians think that since their family is Christian that they should be too. It's completely unreasonable. I would never follow a religion because someone told me to or my parents were that religion. But I was raised non-religious in a liberal family so I figured I had my own choices. Thanks for posting your question!! <3

Answer 8

The whole system is set up for them to not question things. Faith itself is the biggest Catch 22 of all time. If something doesn't make sense, both logically and factually, you must use faith to get past it. Faith is what makes God exist! It's an awesome cult for sure 2000 years and we're finally starting to chip away and make some progress at it. Soon the evidence against it will be too much to bare and it will go the way of Zeus, Appollo et al.

Answer 9

There is nothing wrong with that. My religion also lets you think for yourself. We are not sheep that just follow and never think why we are following or where we are going. I think Christians lean on that bible way too much. Questions can be answered in the faith without having to look everything up in the bible and quoting it.

Answer 10

Christians are free to think, for themselves -- but the basic message of Christianity is that Jesus paid the price for the sins of the world by his death on the cross. In order to receive the gift of salvation, you must live by faith in Jesus Christ and accept that you cannot achieve salvation on your own accord -- but only through Christ. That message will not change. If we sound like sheep, so be it.

You may have noticed that many Christians do not interpret some of the scriptures in the same way. That is because we are all free to think on our own and form our own opinions. God made us that way.

Answer 11

Your question is meant to get a rise out of people of the Christian faith.

Christians make the same choices you make in deciding what to believe. Why would you assume, otherwise?

What's wrong with being wrong? Hummmm...think about it.

Thanks for the two points.

Grace to you!