Does it make non-religious people feel better to blame other people's belief on indoctrination?

Question

As if the vast majority of the people of any religion never have any kind of doubt in their faith. EVERYONE struggles with doubt, then some CHOOSE to follow God and other CHOOSE to turn away. Where is the brainwashing?

Are you honestly so arrogent as to believe that everyone who has a different worldview than you must have been brain washed that way? Ever think you might be brainwashed?

Answer 1

You're right Josh--They are SO unhappy!

GOD IS EVERYTHING!

Answer 2

It's organized religion that people follow blindly, asking no intelligent questions. When a religious leader is given to much power by the people, when the followers forget it's God they're supposed to worship not the religious leader, that's when things get all screwed up. You can't blame the religion, but, you can question the leaders motives, and people do get sucked in. Many people want to blame someone else for all their troubles, if your religious leader uses this as a motivation to use the peoples anger or frustration against another group, it can happen very subtly, and they can become caught up in a very nasty situation. If you call this brainwashing then yes I guess it does happen. All I can say is if your church preaches negatively about anyone, look for a new church & beware!! Always,remember it's God your following, if you feel unsettled by anything going on ask questions, if the religious leader won't answer to your satisfaction leave !!! I think this happens in any group, not just religions, so all you athiests who jump to judgment, be aware that you too can be manipulated by your lack of belief. Don't be hateful to anyone, it could blow-up in your own face !!!!

Answer 3

>> Where is the brainwashing?

Isn't it funny that children always start out in their parent's religion? I mean, if you were born in the Middle East, you'd likely be a Musilm or a Jew. In North America, Christian.

Must be a weird coincidence that all these children just "choose" what their parents believe in, huh?

>> Ever think you might be brainwashed?

I was. My parents raised me Christian as well. Then I decided I didn't believe it, on my own accord. My parents still are Christian and very involved with the church. If I was "brainwashed", I must also have been brainwashed to forget the brainwashing process!

Answer 4

People do not have to be brainwashed to not believe - only to believe.

If this was not the case you would leave children to make up their own minds when they are old enough - not stuff them full of religious teaching from the year dot!!!

Just look at the style of preaching on here and say it is not spouting indoctrination.

There are two religions that particularly do this - Christianity and Islam. Islam is quite open and honest about it - pity about the Christians.

What is really interesting though is that the Christian extremists all seem to come from the US and UK. Christians from outside these two countries appear to be well adjusted followers of the loving and forgiving God.

Answer 5

Well, I see it this way. If someone thinks about it and chooses to follow God, that's fine. But if someone is scared of doubting God because they think they will be 'punished' for it (which a lot of Christians think) then they'll continue going along with a religion that they, deep down, know is false.
And no, I don't think it's possible for me to be brainwashed. Not brainwashed into Atheism, at least.
I was raised Christian, I turned Atheist when I started thinking for myself.

Answer 6

It's really very simple. If you took a random sample of a thousand people with Muslim parents and a thousand people with Christian parents, there would be more Muslims in the first group and more Christians in the second. If you accept that to be true, then you must also accept that the religion of your parents has an effect on your own religion.
The point about 'brainwashing' as you call it is that you think you have a choice but you really don't. Of course you'll think about your religion and maybe read about a couple of others, but your choice will be highly biased because of your desire for the faith you grew up with, your parents' faith, to be correct.
And yeah, it's crossed my mind that the same thing may have happened with me. But because both my parents are agnostic, and because they never presumed to tell me whether or not god exists, I don't think it's likely.

Answer 7

No. I can only speak for myself of course, but I don't question anyone's faith in their religion, in fact I rarely think about it, much less doubt my own belief's (or lack of ) or anyone else's. Yes, choice is key, and that's what makes the USA a great country.

Iin my experience, arrogance generally lies in the "true believer"
who feels the need to insinuate that anyone who does not "see the light" is ignorant and evil, and therefore lower than them.

Answer 8

None believers of any type religion made their choice, like everyone else did. We cannot change the whole world and lose our own soul. Brainwashing has nothing to do with it. There is good and evil on earth, it is up to ourself to decided what path we wish to follow.

Answer 9

Yea, I was brainwash for Jesus. No, not really. I accept Jesus by faith and trust. Jesus save my soul and I like sharing what he has done for me. You know what, I glade to be saved and don't have to wonder when my time comes to close on earth. Where I going to spend eternity? I am Heaven bound. Bottom line is thank you Jesus.

Hope you and your family have a great Christmas.

15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Answer 10

Well put. The "brainwashed" excuse is a real cop-out.

Answer 11

I guess that assertion is unfair to make of almost every person on Earth.