As a child you can be forced by parents to go to church, but just because you go doesn't mean you believe.
But as an adult how can anyone claim they have been " forced " to BELIEVE a religion? I don't think anyone can.
2007-02-28 06:44:18 · 32 answers · asked by The Angry Stick Man 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
a man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still.
not sure who said that, but i quote it often
2007-02-28 06:47:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
religion is very important to many people and sometimes people with be cruel to people who do not have the same religious beliefs. Some religions are a part of the culture like the Amish; if you don't have their same views then you will be kicked out of your family and the community. In that case some are forced to believe a religion because they don't want to lose their family and their friends
2007-02-28 06:54:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Children are very impressionable and highly manipulative.
Therefore, it is very EASY to impose any religion at all upon them.
Point is... most of the time, you are the same religion as your parents in your younger years. This is because they forced it on you. As you grow older, you might realize this and change your views, but until then, or if you're the type of person who doesn't question anything, you're going to be whatever religion your parents made you study.
That's the plain and simple truth. It was FORCED on you. You didn't ASK to be whatever religion your parents taught you, did you?
2007-02-28 06:49:13 · answer #3 · answered by The Oldest Soul 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it is called 'indoctrination' and uses the basic fear that people have of being alone. It is a subtle way of insinuation, that you need this idea to be included and not isolated from others, either here or in the hereafter. We are all part of the herd, in one way or another, and religions use this to reinforce their power structure, so people can be 'forced' to accept these ideas through fear of the unknown, or worse. Best wishes
2007-02-28 06:55:25 · answer #4 · answered by tylernmi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
During the rise of the Islamic empire when they would take a village in battle they would often offer the inhabitants the choice of converting to Islam or being beheaded. Some people chose conversion. Were they "forced" to believe?
By the way, if you refuse to accept Jesus, isn't the punishment eternal damnation or torment in hell?
2007-02-28 06:49:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It shouldn't work anymore. In the past they use to torch and hang the people. Now you grow and see how much money and time you lost with that. But that is only for the intelligent ones the most still believe because there minds are weak and their brain were washed out.
2007-02-28 06:50:15 · answer #6 · answered by Entenda a História 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i believe you are very correct! My parents did not force me only my dad share with me what he believed in his mind but he told me that i should seek on my own that it was my decision!
I have always thought that forced religion was wrong i was taught that it is wrong and i have seen that it is wrong!!
And G-d sure does not want anything to do with it!
i have met many brought up in households of religion and have found that many instead of turning to the Father in heaven were turned away from Him.
Children do not have rights it is rare these days that parent share but not force their views on their children and laws do not correctly protect children and honest parents things are backward these day good is evil and evil is good!
May all you who seek to see G-d endure till the end and may your love for him grow ever stronger till you seek and find!
2007-02-28 07:01:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Because everyone has the free will to choose once they reach a certain age. I know many people who were "forced" to go to church as a child, and they now do not believe in God.
I also know many who were "forced" to go as a child who are wonderful Christians today with wonderful values and morals.
2007-02-28 06:48:23 · answer #8 · answered by Christian93 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
1 Corinthians 2:14
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The bible teaches us, that a person cannot recieve Christ unless the spirit of God leads him no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3..No one can be forced.
2007-02-28 07:04:28 · answer #9 · answered by Eartha Q 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol. peer pressure can do a number.
saying no one can force u to believe certain things is denying the fact that peer pressure has any influence on people. no one can "force" kids to smoke, but they get hounded by it and eventually fall into it. same kinda idea.
furthermore, brainwashing is a form of forcing. if a child is not exposed to any other idea other then what theyve been taught, and theyve been taught it as a truth, not as an idea. this is a form of forcing. giving them no other options.
2007-02-28 06:47:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No: you can be forced to display outward manifestations of a philosophy or theology, but one can't be forced to believe the concept. Brainwashing and indoctrination assist in placing the belief, but the mind must make a leap on some level to accept it...
2007-02-28 06:47:34 · answer #11 · answered by Blackacre 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋