A explanation for a Christian fundie's behaviour?

Question

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ANSWERING WITHOUT READING FIRST

I read this at www.gagamela.com/explain/leary_beha.html. It says that Christian teaching is similar to brainwashing procedure, except that in the latter the procedure is slow and the victim does not realise what is hapenning.

Quote:
Whether its the army turning a civilian to a soldier that will obey his superior, or someone that will obey god, the methods is the same.

The draftee first tries to please the sergeant, to avoid further
humiliation and punishment. Gradually, he genuinely wants to
please the sergeant, i.e., to prove he is not all wrong and is "good
enough" to be a soldier.

This process is accelerated by a system of occasional rewards,
as the subject more and more often emits (as the Behaviorists
would say) the desired behaviors. Since people are more complicated than Behaviorists know, it is necessary to vary this with occasional punishments for "insincerity," or "backsliding," so
that the subject learns that after

Continued :
the initial stage, it is not enough to pretend to accept the new reality-tunnel; to escape further
humiliation, ego-loss, terrorism and permanent Bottom Dog status, one must begin to accept it sincerely. After the imprint of helplessness had been made, this conditioning and learning will
proceed fairly smoothly, especially if the Chief Brainwasher's confederates reinforce it with encouragement, support, and general "reward" (for sincere submission) and contempt, disappointment and general rejection (for insincerity or backsliding.)

The first step is making the victim feel bio-survival anxiety. ( "You are going to burn forver in hell!" ) Once this low-level brain curcuit is broken, all higher level circuits ( i.e. dealing with logic and reason ) stop operating for the moment. Then this cirucit is reimprinted ( "But if you follow me, you'll be safe and end up in heaven" ). The second level curcuit dealing with status is then reimprinted( "I am your master. Obey me." ). And so on to the higher level curcuits.

Further, this explains why Christians love and respect god:

The first human being who appears to the subject after this
isolation can easily become bonded as the mother-substitute, or,
next best, as a father-substitute. This explains why people held
prisoner by terrorists (e.g., on hijacked airplanes) often develop a
"paradoxical" sympathy for those who are threatening to kill
them. It also explains why the draftee begins to look on his kidnappers as protectors as well as captors, and why the brainwash
victim begins to please, gratify and eventually "respect" the brainwasher.

Well, what do you think? *wink*

SOURCES :

Prometheus Rising
by Robert A Wilson

You'll find the pdf if you Google it.

Answer 1

WOWZER! You certainly did some serious investigation and put a LOT of thought into this! This kind of explanation makes an atheist proud (I'm serious)! Rather than the usual slings and arrows, you've delivered a very in-depth explanation of "the true believer" (or fundie), without calling names or the usual put-downs. Even so, just wait for the fur to fly anyway (from the fundies and others).

I agree with almost all of it, especially the connection with how the Army breaks down its enlisted men & women, to brainwash them. You show how human survival mechanisms are actually turned AGAINST them in order to achieve full acceptance and subservience!

Now, instead of feeling annoyed by fundies, this actually makes me pity them (well, 'til the next one insults me!).

Some of the Behaviorist stuff has come under fire in recent decades, as too simplistic...but much of it holds water.

I would LOVE to know what your sources are! Can you add them? GREAT POST!

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

There is a difference between alternate realities and revelation.

We have two belief systems: science and revelation. Science is observed knowledge that leads to theories that covers the facts.

Revelation is reveal knowledge from a source. Since we are talking about Christianity, that source is the [Christian] bible.

What you believe is yours. No logical argument can change what you really believe. In short, belief has nothing to do with science since there are no facts about God, faith, belief, etc.

So what about brain washing? Brain washing takes your observation and modifies them. The technique is simple, put the in an environment and manipulate the facts. And the theories will follow.

Remember what you believe is yours. Brain washing may alter you perceptions, but not your basic belief.

Answer 4

We all need something to cling to.
Better than being molested and prostituted out to your dad's friends on poker night.

Do you know what my daughter told me this morning on the way to school? (We speak of odd things now and then, yes) regarding suicide: "This is the reason I will never commit or even think about suicide" she announced. "When I was little, I would go to bed terrified that the world was going to end! I would huddle under my covers at night, petrified." (Where did she get that idea from, I wondered), "Trust me, I am so glad every morning that the world hasn't ended. I like life too much! I don't care what anyone at school says about me. They could call me the worst names in the book. I'M ALIVE!"

Answer 5

I think that there are better forums for expressing your opinion, this site is meant for genuine questions not statements of opinion followed by "what do you think?"

Regardless, it is true that many organizations use "brainwashing" methods. Similar tactics can be found in academic situations and employment situations. As long as we continue to exist in a society where some have authority over others, this will continue to be so.

Answer 6

Quite a thorough explaination I can see them grasping for crutches made of straw .I would continue but my keyboard was just struck by lightening and I can't go on through the smoldering
flames and melting plastic sticking to my finger tips ...

Answer 7

No one is making you into believer if you are not one. I have my own beliefs that are made up of at least 3 different religions. The only thing that is always present is the Christ.No brainwashing. His teachings are what a decent human being should implement into life regardless of religious affiliation.

Answer 8

atheists have the same "brainwashing" but they mask it behind calling it "individualism", it's nothing more than regurgitating something that somebody else once said and you thought it sounded nice so you will restate it and call it your individual thoughts. and that makes you a free thinker, right? we all follow somebody and some frame of thought, you can choose which one you will follow. one that is laid out by the Creator, or one that you read on some arbitrary website. both are obviously debatable, but i will choose the one that has lasted the test of time and has been around for thousands of years.

Answer 9

Boy, your convinced huh!

Christianity is not simply a crutch for the weak-minded but it's the power of God! Even if it were brainwashing the teachings of Christ Himself are just and good so where's the harm in that?

Answer 10

I think that the person who thought this up hasn't spent anytime with Christians to observe wheter or not this supposition of theirs is true. Its not, by the way.