When those of you who say religion is brainwashing say so...?

Question

...do you mean all religions---or just the Christian ones? Be honest.

And I'm not asking this to be confrontational, I swear. I just want to get people's insight. So, do you really feel that Christianity, Buddhism, Wicca, Catholicism, etc. are all brainwashing?

Answer 1

Let me start by saying religion is not brainwashing, but it can brainwash people. Does that make sense? Having a rational belief in something is perfectly normal, but when you claim that your holy word is infallible and that you are always right even when there are mountains of evidence around you, then you have acheived brainwashing. Take for example those people (and I'm sure you know some) who know they're right before you even start the conversation. Nothing can make them think otherwise, their word is perfect. They have been spoon-fed their beliefs and programmed to never think outside those parameters that define their religion.

Answer 2

I wouldn't refer to this as "brainwashing", as that term seems to me to better apply to something much more specific and intentional.

But there are collections of practices aimed solely at getting people to believe in religious claims, and yes, those practices are found in quite a few different religions, not just the Christian ones.

Answer 3

Any time you sway another person to your point of view without presenting provable facts is Brain Washing. It doesn't just apply to religion. Politicians have been using this tactic for thousands of years. The old, I think, don't you feel, they are all the same, they did this, they said that, game. All religion is based on belief, no one can prove their religion with facts. Any believe reached by other than fact is superstition and has no place in a rational mind.

Answer 4

It is brainwashing when it closes your mind. I know Christians who have remained very open minded. I don't consider them brain washed.

It seems to me that Buddhism and Wicca are less likely to result in closed minds than Christianity, but there are probably exceptions to that rule.

Answer 5

I would say Christianity and Islam. More religions no doubt do, because its consistent with religion. However there are no doubt some that are not using brainwashing techniques. Like breaking you and your self image down so you see your self in need of help and then the one doing the breaking is the one who does the helping, and then you become dependant upon that person. Like realizing your a filthy sinner, and all your good works are nothing to God, you need Jesus to save you from eternal hell fire, come to Him to feel better about yourself(They say come to him to be saved)
So many people dont realize they are a 'sinner' untill they meet a christian, then thank God for Jesus, then spend the rest of their lives trying to convince themselves they are not that bad. They just need to be perfect like Christ, or they just need to learn to love themselves, or Be more like Christ
How many Christians would say they are trying to learn to love themselves? So many. The damage has largely been influenced by christian dogma. But many Christians would be too afraid to let go because they think they will burn in hell for all eternity if they let their mind wander too far. <<-------- BRAINWASHING
The christian God is more like a Hostage Taker.

Many Christians are that far gone, they actually DESIRE to be brainwashed. They will even admit it and say "They want their mind 'RENEWED' by the 'word of God'"
(And christians reading this, feel free to email me with your grievousness's)

Answer 6

The ones that do not encourage and acknowledge people thinking freely and finding their own connection with what they feel it out there. The brainwashers are those that wish to strictly keep out any other way of thinking and only want people to think what THEY think is the right way.

Answer 7

I think most religions are. They seem to start with children and do everything they can to prevent them from even learning about other religions, let alone practicing them. Then there's all that 'us against them' stuff. My husband and I had different spiritual beliefs when we married, so we made sure our children had access to information about many religions and philosophies. It's worked out great for us.

Answer 8

To the extent that they ask people to take the religion's official position about anything "on faith" and without questioning simply because the religious leaders or "sacred texts" said so, all religions rely on brainwashing.

All people should be encouraged to learn to think for themselves.

Answer 9

I would not say that it is brainwashing because brainwashing implies being forced to think a certain way. Most religious are not forced into acceptance but rather accept it gladly. Therefore I would say it is rather wishful thinking.

Answer 10

All organized religion tries to instill their belief system into your head and make sure that you follow their laws/rules/ideals.

So yes, I do believe that they all are like that.

I feel that people should take aspects of a religion they feel they best connect with, but make their own choices as to what they want out of life.