Why do most churches discourage people from studying Philosophy?

Question

I have been to so many churches, and one common thing is that they all believe that all you need to read about is Christianity and that Christian teaching is complete for someone to lead a good and happy life. Sure it's got alot of good points, but I disagree that its teaching is complete, or even closed to be. Personally I love Philosophy and see no conflict between them.

Answer 1

Well, first off, Socrates, you have jumped to a couple of unsupported conclusions and made several wildly exaggerated statements. Let's not confuse (A, believing that Christian teaching is complete, with (B, "discouraging people from studying philosophy."

One, to generalize about what "most churches" do, you'd have to actually visit or contact the majority of churches and somehow ascertain all their views on reading secular philosophy, which you haven't done if you're under a hundred and fifty years old.

Two, you say you've been to "so many churches." How many, specifically, is that? And every single one of them "believes" as you say? FYI, beliefs about secular topics are in almost all cases a matter of individual judgment, and not dictated by the church. So are you overgeneralizing about the beliefs of churches, or of individuals?

I believe Christian teaching IS sufficient to enable one to lead a good and happy life. However, I've been a Christian all my life and I've yet to hear any Christian, anywhere, say that ALL one needs to read about is Christianity. But let it pass--even if someone did say that, that's a very long way from most or all churches "believing" it, and farther still from all those churches "discouraging" people from reading whatever they wish. If you like reading philosophy, enjoy yourself!

But what's your motivation for trying to paint Christians as being opposed to secular intellectual pursuits? We aren't!

Answer 2

Well...The simple fact is when one starts to look at other ways of thinking they begin to question a lot of the hypocrisy which they had before just accepted in religion. Philosophy takes a much more logical stance when confronting the "big questions" and this is appealing to people who have grown up under a "ignore the man behind the curtain" type of atmosphere.

Often times people who study religion and philosophy realize that neither one can be completely correct as they are both human inventions. They both have some great ideas, but in order to come to a level of true peace one must make well informed decisions based on finding your own answers to the "big questions"

Answer 3

Philosophy requires deep thought. Deep thought leads to critical thinking and critical thinking is deemed dangerous by some religious leaders. It requires an opening of the mind that isn't encouraged by those who think the only deep thinking one should do must stem from the Bible and its concerns and edicts. Long ago, as an adult, I entered a year of instruction to become Catholic (I have long since left the church and identify as Deist now). I discovered vast, sometimes unsettling, differences between priests. We were encouraged to seek out the priests for questions about the faith. One priest refused to entertain any questions he considered blasphemous, and that included anything that deviated from the literal words in the Bible. Another priest loved to discuss the Bible and it's contradictions and metaphors. My favorite priest could discuss philosophy about everything and anything with complete openness and wisdom, he was a delight. All three of these priests were from the same parish, and so it is with many religions. Different degrees of openness, ranging from literal Bible belief to open discussion about the possibility of God being the one to set the Big Bang in motion.

You can forge your own path with religious belief and philosophy walking hand in hand. There are many others like yourself, and you'll run across them if you keep searching.

Answer 4

I too, love philosophy, and I am also deeply interested in religion, although I am not religious. However, I can see why a Church would be wary about encouraging philosophy. Most modern philosophers are atheists or agnostics, and there has been very little real, unequivocal support for the existence of God in over a century. I think this quote from John Perry's "A Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immorality" is illustrative:

"MILLER: Emerson said that a little philosophy turns one away from religion, but that deeper understanding brings one back. I know no one who has thought so long and hard about philosophy as you have. Will it never lead you back to a religious frame of mind?

WEIROB: My former husband used to say that a little philosophy turns one away from religion, and more philosophy makes one a pain in the neck. Perhaps he was closer to the truth than Emerson."

Regardless, I agree with you that philosophy, and critical thinking skills in general, are very important for any functional member of society to be at least somewhat acquainted with. And certainly philosophy can bring one a much deeper, more intellectual and well-reasoned understanding of one's religious beliefs.

Answer 5

Because rational thought is completely antithetical to religion. With only a cursory glance at the Bible, it is revealed that logical lapses and inconsistencies abound. No thinking man can trust such a porous construct ... for the same reason you don't think the "Odyssey" of Homer to be real.

Answer 6

Of course there is a conflict between religion and philosophy. Philosophy by one definition is the investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods. Since religion is a method of control encouraging people to think for themselves would amount to self destruction of religion.
I love Philosophy too.

Answer 7

You haven't checked all the denominations. When I was in seminary, they insisted I needed a philosophy degree before I got serious about theology. They wanted their students to be able to reason before they relied too heavely on "revelation".

Answer 8

Philosophy comes from the mind of man whereas Christianity's basis is the Bible which comes from the mind of God .U figure ?

Answer 9

sorry to say
but i have never heard of some churches
doing such act
but if u r saying this true
than i m sorry for that
i think u must go on doing whatever u like
after all we have a right to follow any religion and
any kind of philosophy

Answer 10

philosophy is more about delving into your mind and discovering your true potential, and thought dynamics, whereas christianity and churches want you to only go by what they tell you
it's a mind control tactic that has been working for several centuries
shows how ignorant many humans are