Why do people rely on secondhand information?

Question

When someone is curious about another faith/religion, why is it that sometimes people base their opinions according to someone who isn't even associated with the faith they are curious about? Are they looking for particular answers, and afraid that if they go straight to the source that they may hear something that they don't want to hear? Or is it just plain laziness?

I mean, if I want to learn more about Catholics, I will go to a Catholic. If I want to learn more about Lutherans, I will go to a Lutheran. If I want to learn more about Jehovah's Witnesses, I will go to a JW, etc, etc.

What's the reason? How come so many people choose not to go straight to the source anymore?

Answer 1

Often I think/hope it is simply a matter of feeling that their friend or relative knows the answer, so they simply believe it. I admit at times I have been guilty of this.

I also know that some believe what they read or are told, even without validity, simply because it is said or read. My grandmother was like that.

I do think some are afraid to go to the horses mouth, that's part of the reasons why some of the bigoted websites people list on here go over so well, people assume since it isn't by the specific religion it will probably be more fair. While some people seem to try to be fair with what they say, many seem to think that they are free to bad mouth what they don't understand.

I am often amazed by the things people say on here about what I believe, I am a Witness. What is shocking isn't that they say odd, sometimes rude, things it's that people seem to believe the stuff. I have seen some on here ask questions about my beliefs, get several ACURATE answers, then pick the one that says something out there like, "They eat babies".

Answer 2

I guess that depends on the person's motives.

If they have pure motives and actually want real info, it'd make sense to go to an expert in that faith that they can trust. For example, I would take my car to get fixed at a mechanic's not a barber shop.

If they want to get twisted, messed-up information then they'll just ask anybody or even worse, ask someone that's totally against that faith. { FYI: As a JW I see honest/semi-honest questions on this site all the time and honest/semi-honest/totally dishonest answers all the time. Usually I see the totally dishonest answers and get a thumbs-down for my honest ones. }

Some people may not have access readily available in their hometowns so they'll go to the Internet and message boards, hoping for some decent info. If you're one of these folks, please take whatever you learn with a "grain of salt"; don't believe everything that you hear.

☺ Hope this helps!! ☺

Answer 3

If no one knows the bible or can not learn it for them selves, then secondhand information about the bible is religion, and pure bible knowledge is Philip.2:5,9-12; taking on the mind of Christ to be christain,
knowing the bible is the only way to find out what is what. John 8:32; 17:17;
Truth is very important. With religion you are expected to except what they say about the subject.

If any religion tells you they believe anything and it makes the bible wrong and the wrong is excepted, where is right, where is just and where is truth?

Answer 4

Good point. I know when I told some of my christian friends that I was buddhist, they answered me... Ohh I know about that, you guys don't believe in god and you think you can answer any question by looking within. But god is without not within. SO I asked....Where did you read about Buddhism. And now here's the funny part.... My friend said at his church all the people in the program he was in were required to read a book, written by a Christian fundamentalist evangelist of course, called Kingdom of the Cults. So that really made my day. Christian "EVANGELISTS" writing "informative" material for other christians, so that way they wouldn't be led astray. Funny isn't it? How people have the nerve to actually WRITE a book about something they are completely OBLIVIOUS to? But that's humans for ya.... haha

These days it's too difficult to think for ourselves, better for someone else to sum it up for us and give us the highlights. Right?

Answer 5

a million. Some folks are intellectually lazy. Doing one's possess study is difficult paintings. two. Some folks do not *wish* to grasp the reality. three. Some folks are watching for a battle alternatively of for knowledge. A well instance: The Scribes & Pharisees once they puzzled Jesus. For myself: I have continually been academically curious approximately how quite a lot of folks relate to Deity. When I made up our minds to research Catholicism, I took a direction in Catholicism from a Catholic group. I observed it very exciting. Now I can relate even larger to my Catholic peers. I made a ninety eight within the direction -- however I *do not* don't forget myself certified to inform any one else what Catholics feel. Should any person question me, I shall refer him to the Catholics.

Answer 6

I think you hit it right on.

Part of it is because folks are looking for certain answers, and they won't be convinced until they hear those answers out loud, even if they come from someone who is just as ignorant as themself.

The rest of it is just because they are too lazy to go and research, so they hear something from someone else, and they assume it is true.

Answer 7

I think it has alot to do with laziness and ignorance. People would almost rather believe the biggest juiciest lies about something or someone than the simple truth.

gw

Answer 8

I really like worldtravelr4 answer it really hits right on. It not only fits Buddhism but any one that you would about in that book.

Answer 9

I am guessing that they are more concerned with others thoughts then willing to make a decision for themselves...? I dont know, what's the answer?

Answer 10

We are just to everything being handed to us without having to check accuracy.