Do religions pressure adherants to remain ignorant on a wide variety of issues ?

Question

or is this a natural by product of faith?

Wide variety of issues:

Evolution
Astronomy (And yet it moves still).
Flat Earth.
Abortion.
Birth Control (use of condomes or the pill)
Modesty (as many definitions as religions)
Subjugation of women.
And many others

Answer 1

Oh, yasss! When I was a'preachin' I didn't want my parishioners to think for themselves, I wanted them to listen to me and do as I told them God expected them to do. I was an absolute dictator, and they blithely accepted the excrement I fed them and opened their mouths for more. I got out of the preachin' business, got my head out of my behind and realized what I was doing and that there is no God - and my former parishioners remain as ignorant and unquestioning as before. If I tried to tell them the ugly truths I learned about religion, they'd not just walk away, they'd RUN away! Fear. It has worked for untold centuries. It works today. Just listen to George Bush prattle about the terr'ists about to rain down uponst us with WMDs and musshoom clouds 'n all that wickedness. Almost half the electorate still falls for his scare tactics - witness how many voted Republican last Tuesday! Naw, it ain't a natural byproduct, it's deliberately and cynically manufactured, this pervasive fear factor. Looky there: terrists! WMDs! Nukular weapons! BOO!

Answer 2

It isn't just religions that do this, but governments as well. However, since religions usually have some kind of supposed "source" (of laws, beliefs, etc.,), like the Bible, they can convince the gullible or emotionally needy that this constitutes "proof" of these tenets.

It's a combination of some people wanting to control others, for various reasons, and other people who need or want to be controlled, due to personal weakness, need or ignorance (which, of course, is both fostered by and perpetuated by the religion...it's a cyclical thing).

I think that people who were not taught to think for themselves are more easily drawn into blind religous adherence. The LEADERS, however, may be well aware of their roles, and often break the very laws they espouse (such as Catholic priests and Evangelical ministers...so many of which have had their hypocrisy and misdeeds exposed lately).

Answer 3

Ahhh, is it the nature of the beast or the beast of nature. Any man who claims knowledge, knows that he knows close to nothing at all. A closed mind gathers no moss, but prevents the joy of discovery. Religion, not faith, is an opiate. But religion can mean washing your hands 20 times a day. Keep an open mind and investigate all things to see what is true

Answer 4

My Father, a minister of God's Word for many years, suggested to each of his congregations that they should NOT believe anything that he told them. Ever, UNLESS, they studied it out for themselves in the Bible, prayerfully and came to the same conclusions ON THEIR OWN.
Wonder what would happen in this world if more people actually studied that thing that they carry so proudly back and forth to church each week.

Answer 5

If by "religions" you mean churches, then that has been perpetrated by certain churches for millennia, even up to now... That is the main reason why the multitudes continue to remain in darkness as we speak.

Peace be with you.

Answer 6

No they do not pressure people into remaining ignorant. What is the deal here, do you think anybody that differs in opinion from yours is ignorant? Is this the high intellect you want to project?

Answer 7

hmmm. i think it might be a product of the doctrine. the doctrone says that certian things are allowed and certain things are. the things that arent allowed are things like woemns rights (right to love as they wish, right to an abortion) and things that are allowed (murder of gays, murder of rebellious youths).

ignorance is a product of the psychology. most of those people go by what theyre told and never question or come to their own conclusions. they like it that way. thinking isnt a prerequisite for beleiving that your special to magical diety in the sky.

the only pressure religions or churches give adherents is to give money to them. the people who remain ignorant, in my opinion, CHOOSE to remain ignorant.

Answer 8

some do pertain that they remain ignorant on those issues.

However as for myself all those issues you have listed I have researched thoroughly.

Not because I doubt God, but how can you have an intelligent debate with who has researched it and your ignorant of it.

If your religon or faith as I prefer to it, is the correct belief you should have no qualms about researching topics contrary to your beliefs.

Answer 9

Do elaborate on these "wide variety of issues"

Answer 10

At least I know begging the question and false dichotomy are logical fallacies.