I mean, most worship GOD of their own free WILL, not because they are brainwashed.
2007-02-07 05:10:28 · 21 answers · asked by Monica L. 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Atheists have to make up some explanation as to why over 90 percent of the world does not agree with them.
Most atheists that I have met are elitist snobs who want to pretend that they are smarter than the majority of the people who have ever lived. And I’ve noticed from some of their Q&A on here that they seem to view the doctrine of hell to be some type of personal threat aimed only at them (as if we made up a religions teaching just on the spot just to annoy them, and them alone).
Do you really expect an egotist to act rational?
2007-02-07 05:19:14 · answer #1 · answered by Randy G 7 · 2⤊ 5⤋
I believe the reason people use the word brainwashed is because religion is something that is taught small children in the form of Facts and Truths. It is presented in a teacher student atmosphere and taught through repitition. If it was presented as Faith and as open for interpretation and scrutiny I doubt the term brainwashed would seem necessary.
2007-02-07 05:28:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fair comment. Many atheists find it difficult to believe that believers could "choose" to believe something for which they themselves find no evidence, and so the "brainwashed" label is thrown about far too carelessly. Free will of course is moulded by things we learn, things we experience and things that seem to hold a deeper meaning or value for us, and everyone has their own journey to discover the "truth" that most calls to them. Ultimately, I think it would be unfair (not to say condescending) to say that more theists are "brainwashed" into believing the tenets of any given religion than, for example, atheists are "brainwashed" by what they feel are facts into believing in the non-existence of any deity.
2007-02-07 22:06:46 · answer #3 · answered by mdfalco71 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You statement, that "most worship GOD of their own free WILL", is highly debatable.
Ask theists how old they were when first told about their deities. Who told them? Was it the same people who told them that Santa Claus was real?
Children do not skeptically evaluate what their parents tell them, because that would be disastrous. "Don't go near the stove, it's hot." The child must be taught to accept and obey, not to experiment to find out whether or not that is true, because otherwise the child will be injured. That's how you protect a child. That becomes a problem when you tell that child, "Don't steal. That's a sin. God said not to do that. If you do that, you will go to Hell." That is, in my opinion, not only brainwashing but child abuse.
Peer reinforcement doesn't help. If one person believes in the purple hedgehog tree, it is not so easy for them to do that. They are alone in that delusion. But if thousands of people also believe in the purple hedgehog tree, it is that much easier, isn't it? It's still a delusion, but shared by many, which does nothing to establish the delusion as reality, but provides a great faulty argument in its favor. "If so many believe, how can it be false?" Well, it can be false. No matter how many people believe that something exists, when there is no evidence to support it, it is still a false belief.
2007-02-07 05:17:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
If it was down to free will, you'd find a lot of Muslim children of Christian parents, and jewish children of MUslim parents, etc. But you don't, it's brainwashing.
Your question asks why theists are brainwashed, and then your next lines suggests they're not. Or do you mean atheists (the antonym of theist) ?
2007-02-07 05:20:32 · answer #5 · answered by dumberthangeorgebush 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You worship god thinking its free will as constantly lied to as a kid.
Athiests are beyond bull poop like santa clase, heaven, tooth fairies etc.
Also believing in gods clouds judgement over whats really right or wrong.
Look at all the abuse and sexisim in the nam,e of a god
2007-02-07 07:23:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats pretty funny because the majority of religious people I've known only worshiped God because that is what their parents taught them. I'd say thats brainwashing if nothing else. I was taught to think for myself. And I CHOSE not to believe. That is MY free will.
2007-02-07 05:17:05 · answer #7 · answered by *Cara* 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
There are some Christians who I would say are brainwashed, it's the way they behave, ie speaking in tongues and rolling around on the floor, I've seen them. Seems demonic to me.
2007-02-07 05:16:51 · answer #8 · answered by Plato 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Athiest choose not to believe of their own free will, in fact alot of people that believe in god are brainwashed into doing so by their parents, peers etc.
2007-02-07 05:58:48 · answer #9 · answered by Jazzybee 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
First of all, learn to spell. Secondly, HUH?! Most atheists have chosen to be because they HAVE a brain. Did you ever hear anything so ridiculous as worshiping something you've only read about in books but never seen, heard or had any concrete evidence that it even exists? Grow up.
2007-02-07 05:27:24 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋