+ Does religious brainwashing exists?

Question

Because technically everything is brainwashing if it convinces you that life has meaning beyond what pleases us. I figure that our lives can only seem purposeful if we lie to ourselves. Religion, art, family, politics, drugs. They serve no other purpose but to dispense endorphins, and it's part of our instincts to desperately seek ways of raising our serotonin level. However, the more we learn, the harder it gets. If religious people have an easier time then why shouldn't we just leave them alone? Even if they turn America into a theocracy, at least we'll have something to fight for (giving us another outlet for more endorphins).

Answer 1

A proper exposure to God and religion can help to counteract the real brainwashing that popular culture is constantly throwing at all of us in books, movies, TV, songs, advertisements, and even video games.

Religion runs a distant second to the power of brainwashing of popular culture.

Popular culture is constantly bombarding us with intensive, not-so-forcible indoctrination, aimed at setting up worldly convictions and attitudes.

Popular culture comes at us from all directions including books, movies, TV, songs, advertisements, video games and even the Internet.

A few of the these immoral values include:
- Lust and Sex (outside of marriage)
- A disrespect for God and religion
- A disrespect for lawful authority
- A disrespect for our human dignity
- Envy, greed and consumerism
- Anger and Violence
- Drugs including smoking and alcohol
- Vanity, outside is more important than inside
- Prejudice and hate

I think that if we expose our children to all this immorality without the moral anchor of God and religion "until they can come to a conclusion of their own" then we would be unwise, irresponsible, and frequently too late.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Religion is a kind of self brainwashing or self delusion. But that is kinda what you said.
Leaving the religious alone would be easy if only they would leave the non religious and those who differ from them alone. The religious think that they are special to their god and that they are "better' than others. The religious are intolerant people. Their views on creation vs science holds the world back from doing things that would benefit society. I cannot see how belief in a god has done the world any significant good. Religion divides us all. If only the people of the world could work together for the good of all. As long as there is religion this will not happen.

Answer 3

Yes. You've obviously thought hard about this, but keep in mind that "brainwashing" is a kind of delusion that cultists use to override common sense and free will. It's a form of hypnosis brought on by intense social pressure, sensory overload or deprivation and appealing to someone's innermost doubts and fears.

I'm a Christian. I happen to be a member of a local church. That church doesn't put me in a little room and try to frighten or guilt me into attending church. They don't call up my friends and family and threaten them. They don't try to convince me that everyone outside of my church is the "enemy"; rather, they tell me to go out and spread the good news. I can also leave the church anytime I want.

Most importantly, the church isn't going to encourage me to do something immoral that goes against my character. Brainwashed people do these things gladly.

My church gives classes that I'm free to attend or NOT attend. We have sensible discussions about Christian doctrine. There's no sleep-deprivation or bullhorns or massive guilt trips.

Beware, there ARE organizations calling themselves "Christian" who are cults by every definition. Steer clear of these.

Here's a link to a guy who's been fighting cults all of his life. Interesting reading with a directory of current cults in the news:

www.rickross.com

Answer 4

Granted that there are many ways of 'brainwashing'. But some of them (love, art, family) are usually harmless. Others (drugs) are potentially dangerous but 'brainwashing' is just a side-effect, not the main purpose. And others (including religion) are performed TO harm you.

So, I will keep on fighting this particular form of brainwashing, because I think it is entirely against my interest as a human being and as a citizen of the world, not just to *fall* for religious brainwashing, but to let others fall for it.

Answer 5

Christianity has been considered a cult since its beginning cause it differed so much from the traditions and the mosaic law of the Jews and other religions didn't like them either cause they were so different and they were considered foolish for preaching the resurrection of a man executed as a common criminal. Now i do beleive many religious groups do try to brainwash or expect their members to just believe everything they pass as doctrine. That's why a true religion6 will not only teach its members but encourage research, questions, and each one having a full understanding of his/her faith before they decide to be baptized into it.

Answer 6

Of course it exists. Not only religious brainwashing but parents', teachers', societies' brainwashing, politicians' brainwashing. We are exposed to the infinite war of ideas.

It is up to you to awaken your self. If you do not get outside the matchbox you will be in the dark. Get outside the box and explore the different facets of the box and you will be shocked. They are all alike, their similarity are lies, creating fears, lust of power, bogus promises...

If you get back into the box, then you have accepted defeat. You are no more an individual, but a hypnotised, unawakened being like most people are.

Answer 7

Several cults do brainwash people into believing what they believe. Most of them are just after your money. Good thought about leaving religious people alone. Good Christians, Catholics, Jehovah Witnesses, etc. are all taught to be kind to one another. Thanks for your kindness.

Answer 8

Yes. Have you looked around lately?

Answer 9

" Does religious brainwashing exist?"


*looks around *

Yup. Obviously.

Answer 10

all kinds of brainwashing exists. then we grow up and hopefully we gain a brain + maturaty to look into things on our own. which i have done, i am NOT brainwashed.