How come the simplest minds are the ones most likely to be very religious?

Question

The ones that probably didn't finish school, that will recite you the whole Bible by heart but couldn't tell you where Zanzibar is, the ones that don't expect much and don't question much....why is it that they are the ones who vehemently defend the word of the Lord like they've seen him?
Same as somewhere in Haiti, the little peasant is going to convince you that Vodoo changed his life...
Or somewhere in Kenya, a shepherd will tell you that the God of the forest cursed his dying sheep....

mrdav76,

Did you see anywhere in what I said the words faith, ignorance and stupidity? Don't put words into my mouth ( or written statements). If you needed the definitions, hope you got them.

Answer 1

The most religious people are Muslims, by far. Islamic countries have the worlds highest illiteracy and lowest book translation rates. Suprise suprise.

Answer 2

I think we should be careful about stereotyping people and assuming they have "simple" minds. Although I understand your question, I think it could have been worded in a way that doesn't stereotype people.

That said, I know a lot of very "religious" people who are college educated, have degrees, and are anything but "simple" minded. In fact, I find them to be the people that I, as a gay man, have the greatest amount of conflict with. The "simple" minded people, as you have called them, are usually the first people that after sitting and talking with me for a while are actually able to understand my point of view (probably because they took the time) and to understand that I'm not trying to undermine their religious freedom or disrespect their religious beliefs, but instead of merely trying to exercise my own liberty. Whereas the more college educated...I guess you'd classify them as "complex" minds (opposite of simple minds) are the ones that are vehemently against even sitting down and hearing my voice...of even listening to my point of view. I may respect them enough to sit and listen to them eloquently tell me their entire beliefs regarding all kinds of matters and when all is said and done if I even dared once to enter into the conversation with my own beliefs I am shouted down, insulted, and belittled. Why? Well they're more educated and they have that degree to prove it. It's about ego....that superiority complex. Their attitude is that they are better than others and that they do not have to listen to me or anyone else who is different. Why should they listen to you when they've already made up their minds that their right? The "simple" minded people, they're always a bit leary of anyone who might use big words that they don't understand, but that doesn't mean they won't let you "speak your peace" as a friend of mine whose a farmer always says (he's gay, too). At having the dialogue is the most important thing. If the two people can realize that they both want the same thing (liberty, freedom, choice) then real solutions can happen.

Personally, I like the "simple" minded people. Atleast with them I can sit down and explain to them my perspective, my side of the story, and they'll listen and we can have a real dialogue with each other and respect one another even if we don't necessarily fully agree.

But that's my own humble opinion based upon my own experiences.

Peace be with you.

Answer 3

Perhaps it's because God speaks to us through our heart and soul first, and only later through our conscious intelligence.

I'm not speaking of the gods of myth, or other false gods here.

I'm speaking of the one, true God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The God who became one of us in order to make himself known to us in an absolutely unique and most extraordinary way.

In the whole scheme of things, pointing out the location of Zanzibar comes in a distant second to actually knowing and loving God.

From the tone of your question, it seems as though you don't think anyone has ever really seen God.

I have. Many of my "simple" friends have also.

None of us have actually seen Zanzibar, though.

With God's help, and once your mind becomes capable of processing more complex spiritual and theological realities, you might someday be able to recognize God when you see him, too.

I wish you well.

Answer 4

How do you define "simplest"? Are you talking uneducated, unsophisticated or something on the order of small lizards?

Generalizations tend to be only partially correct. People at the lower end of socio-economic strata may see religion as a means of comfort and support because their own resources may be insufficient to deal with the trials that life brings. If it works for them, then they'll be more supportive of it and try to bring a good thing to their friends and acquaintances. If it doesn't, they are just as likely to turn away from religion. Remember a number of revolutionary movements started due to the peasant class rejecting organized religions.

However, there are a lot of educated, well-off people who are very religious because their lives have been successful due to adhering to their particular faith. This cuts across all religions, christian or otherwise. Check out the Jesuits. They have significant presence in many fields of science as well as religion. While they are only one example, I would not even want to try characterizing all of them as merely "simple".

Answer 5

It is because they lack the knowledge to think critically, and realize that some of the Bible is just silly. They cannot realize the Bible is man's facsimilie, a red herring that doesn't contain truth but man's own folly and prejudices. They do not consider their faith and thus they have none. True faith is faith held with your eye's open and your mind full of knowledge. Only then can you believe and truly believe...

Answer 6

Didn't finish school.
Can quote the Bible pretty well.
And Zanzibar is off the coast of Tanzania, in the Indian Ocean.
And I defend the Lord because I've seen the devil.

Answer 7

I find just the opposite. Many Christians are Doctors, Nurses, Attorneys, Financial Investors, School teachers, College Professors, Generals, Scientists and Presidents. Then we have Firemen, Police men, Paramedics.

I have named people I go to Church with. I know two Medical Doctors and three or four others with Phd's. Four Nurses, we have two Attorneys, two Financial Investors, About 30 School teachers. One College Professor. Two Scientists, they work with diseases. Three Firemen, two FBI Agents, and one Police man. We also have the former President CEO of General Motors.
Our Church only has 238 people in it. I don't know everyone.

In my Church in South Carolina, we had a General and many Officers. We had people who owned radio stations.

Many of these people are very rich and have children who have graduated from college and are Christians too.
I too am a Christian and I am in college right now to be a Nurse.

So you think Christians have simple minds, what college did you graduate from, or did you?

Many

Answer 8

Talk about uneducated, do you know who the Fathers of modern day science were? They were all Christians who believed the Bible cover to cover. Newton, Kepler, Galileo, Francis Bacon, Blaise Pascal, and on and on and on. You should really educate yourself before you accuse people of being uneducated.

"Evolution is a fairy tale for grownups." They actually believe a frog can turn into a prince. Rediculous!
www.scienceprovesit.com

Answer 9

Because God exalts the humble, and brings down the proud. People who are enamored of their own supposed "intellect" have little use for simple truths. The bible tells us that not many noble and not many great will enter the kingdom of heaven. "Unless you are like this little child", Jesus said, "you will not enter the kingdom". God looks for hearts that are open, trusting, teachable, humble. Not puffed up people who think there is nothing they don't know, particuarly those who mock the things of God.

Answer 10

I've always found that the simplest minds are the ones most likely to make generalizations about things they know nothing about.

And by the way, faith does not equal stupidity, ignorance most closely equals stupidity. Get a dictionary.