God believers, do you understand why Atheists think you're brainwashed?

Question

We think you're brainwashed because

1. The belief in God was ingrained in most of you at a very young age

2. Plenty of Atheists have been told that they are going to hell. This is proof that fear is connected to your belief

3. Lots of God believers comments are really not their own but bible scriptures

Answer 1

Thank God for brain washing! HA!

+J+

Answer 2

I have some idea of why an atheist might think I'm brainwashed, but none of the three points you have annunciated has that much to do with it.

Bottom line is, even if my parents didn't tell me about God, I would have known about Him (and did know about Him) from what I can see in creation. None of this could possibly have gotten here by itself (especially life). It just isn't a possibility.

As far as atheists being told they are going to Hell, your point is essentially moot. That's like saying that since the grass is green today, there must have been very little smog outside yesterday. It's a non-sequitur.

As far as comments from believers being from Scripture, so what? That proves nothing except that those who quoted scripture quoted scripture.

What does that have to do with anything, let alone with being brainwashed?? It doesn't have any connection.

Answer 3

So, the only way to NOT be brainwashed is to be an atheist? :o)

I tend to think that much of what you think about there NOT being a God has been brainwashed into you.

To say that you know God does not exist is illogical. In order to make this statement, you must have all the knowledge in the universe (otherwise there would be a possibility that He might exist and you would have to acknowledge that). If you have all the knowledge in the universe, then you would be, by very definition, a god. If you are a god, then you cannot deny that god exists.

My experience in talking to atheists is that they try so hard to explain away things that might possibly show that God really does exist that they end up being very close minded and judgmental. Sounds like you have fallen into this trap.

Answer 4

1. I was also fed spaghetti as a young child.
2. I was told I was going to timeout if I didn't eat my spaghetti, which I feared.
3. Now I like spaghetti, and when I say it is good, I sound just like my parents.

Therefore I am brainwashed?

To be brainwashed is to be made to believe things that your experience/reason tells you are not true. My experience, and my reason, tell me that there is a God. I know how atheists think because for the first 27 years of my life, I was an evolution-believing, god tempting fool. Then I studied science (Physics) at the graduate level. It was at about this time that I realized that Physics, the 'realest' science, cannot explain much in the grand scheme of things, so I started reading elsewhere. I have read Darwin, Tich Nat Han, Krishnamurti, Kant, Mill, Marx, Shermer, Gould and Sagan, amongst many others. I find that the Bible is more believable than Darwin, which is all atheists really have to explain why/how we are here, and preferable in the logical extension of it's moral code than any other humanistic religion. That of course is my opinion, and you are entitled to yours as well. I will refrain from calling you brainwashed, but I will ask if you have looked as deeply, read as widely and considered as carefully as you could have if you were seriously looking for truth? Have you actually read the Bible, or are you just going on what you think you know about what it says, or what other people say it says? Be honest, and you may have to admit that you don't KNOW as much as you think you know.

Please don't tell me that you believe everytime some atheist spouts off about his beliefs, it is their own words and not the words of their professors or biology text books. That is just a silly argument, and proves nothing about the truth of the words being quoted. It may mean that the person hasn't truly thought it out for themselves and it may mean they lack creativity, and that they are cliche-bound, (like for example calling someone who believes in God brainwashed) but they still may be right.

Answer 5

1. I became a Christian when I was 37 years old. Not many people would consider that "very young". I'm a scientist by the way...
2. I'm not afraid of going to Hell, but it sounds like you are....
3. We quote the Bible because we believe it is the only real Truth. Most atheists quote Oprah or the New York Times.
4. I wish I were "brainwashed". That is a past tense verb. I have to try to wash my brain everyday with the word of God. I wish I could do it everyday and I wish I only had to do it once. Washing my brain with God's Word to get the "grime" of the media off me is the same as taking a shower to wash off the grime from everyday living.

Answer 6

Reasons why I am NOT brainwashed.
1.)while it may be true that the faith has been ingrained in some from an early age - the same wasn't so for me. My parents were not Christian. One day my Aunt invited me to church. I think I was like 11 or 12. Now all these years later I CAN think for myself -contrary to popular belief.
2.) The same can be said of Atheists that some had the faith (or lack of it) ingrained in them at an early age.
3.)The Bible says that those who do not believe in Jesus as their Savior ARE going to hell. I didn't Make the rules. Take it up with God.
4.)Yes. Lots of believers do quote the Bible. DUH! Lots of Mormons quote from the Book of Mormon, Lots of Jehovah's Witness will quote form their book. If you were to read "Of mice and Men by John Steinbeck (I think that's his name) you would most likely QUOTE from THAT book. People do often QUOTE what they believe. And Christains believe the Bible. That is where we get the rules we CHOOSE to live by.
5.) Many Atheists believe in Evoluton and will talk to you aobut that!
6.) Have Christians no rights anymore to argue the point?

Answer 7

Yes I do, however all the reasons you cite are generalities that are easily disproven by citing specific examples, i.e. famous Christians who were brought up atheisticly, not all Christians tell people that they are going to hell, and instead demonstrate love and selflessness to others, and as for quoting Bible Scriptures usually it's seen as a sign of intelligence and someone quotes from a book were a famous playwright like Shakespeare or Thoreau.
Many Christians have problems with atheists because of the generalities and seemingly biased comments and statements that they make. A truly free thinking person would not immediately assumed that someone is brainwashed because they have a different opinion.

Answer 8

Actually, you're not going to hell. That is something that was made up to scare. But when you die, your soul will be gone forever, instead of getting to live the eternal life in a paradise that God has created. Can you tell me why my parents never taught me about God, yet I've felt the need to seek him out? I have and I am a better person for it. And you don't have to go to church all the time to beleive in Him. if you fear something, that doesn't mean you've been brainwashed to do so. I fear spiders, because I've been bitten. Just as I fear the hopeless empty life I will have if I deny the Lord. And how do you learn ANYTHING if it is not in a book somewhere?? You have to beleive in something, why not it be something that makes you feel good about your life?

Answer 9

I understand why Athiests think that I'm brainwashed. I was ingrained with the God theory as a small child. And unfortuntely Christians use hell to scare people to come to God - which I believe is wrong. But I do have a comment of my own that does not come from the Bible.
Coming from a broken home of all kinds of abuse and insecurities issues, I had studied all kinds of religions and even tried to believe that there was no God. But the older I got, the worse my problems got because no one taught me how to deal correctly with my problems of childhood years. I want to tell you that in all my research it wasn't the Bible or any other religions that saved my life from suicide and bad decisions but it was God himself. I have a relationship with him personally not because the Bible told me to but I have a relationship with him because He is alive and He cares about me and He cares about you. He fixed things that no one could - not parents, teachers, counselors, friends or other religions. I don't believe there are any skeptics in fox holes. When you have reached a point in your life where you are scared to death of something terrible, there is no finer time than to cry to God for help because He is there. Hell is no reason for a person to believe in God, but Hell does exist and it was created for the demons and not people. If you end up in Hell it is not God's fault or anyone elses. It is your own fault for not accepting God's son Jesus. If you are an athiest than you really don't know how much God cares for you and He wants the best life for you. But only you can make that decision and I'm sorry that you aren't too crazy about the Christians. BUt God is nothing like the people on Earth and focusing on him and serving him changes everything.

Answer 10

My poor child, I understand why you suffer. Let me go against the "generalizations" you use to torment the faithful.
A. I did not have a belief in God, ingrained in me at an early age. I found my spiritual center on my own accord, well into my thirties.
B. As I consider myself to be Christian, which to me means I believe in the teachings of Jesus, I would never have the courage or the audacity to tell anyone, ANYONE, they are going to hell. I am not on this earth at this time to judge anyone by their actions.I can only be responsible for my actions
C. I use bible scriptures for my own understanding of different situations that occur in my daily life. I have no need to quote them to anyone, because if they need them they will find them.

I am sorry that you feel persecuted about your own beliefs, and find it necessary to defend them. Let me point out the obvious. When we pass from this earth, the question will no longer have any meaning. If we have lived the best life possible, we will not care who was right and who was wrong, but each of us who believe will find peace in our passing....

Answer 11

some worship God some worship the devil, and some worship science.For the most part everyone thinks one of these are true. so let the ones that worship God study and learn about him and take part in all God has to offer. and the ones that believe in the devil do the same. and also the ones that believe in since. at the end of life we will all know the truth.are we can look for the truth while we are on earth and be open minded until we find the truth. I hope everyone finds the truth they are looking for and i have included this site as a place to start for some and a place to end for others that thank they know what is true good link http://the-heavenly-home-page.blogspot.com/