when will religious people use their minds instead of blindly following everything their religion teaches?

Question

This is what i have learned during my life,

No matter how cruel, unfair, silly or ignorant an idea , law , practice or custom is, why is it that most people still accept it just because a religion or a culture says its ok and even good or sacred?

x muslim here

Answer 1

1 John 4:1....Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

Answer 2

Let me us an Human Resource analogy here.
In HR, we're required to implement rules fairly. That means that if we allow exceptions, it can really create problems. Take for instance when you have an attendance policy and there is a resulting disciplinary policy for violators. You get one person that truly deserved an exception to the rules so you give them the exception. Others hear about that exception. When you have a person who doesn't deserve that consideration and you don't give them the exception, then you have problems. So, sometimes it's easier to use a blanket situation instead of allowing for case by case exceptions to the rules.

Just remember that when you think that a person is blindly following everything they are taught, there may be a reason behind that decision. As a Christian, I've learned that rules were usually implemented for a good reason. And sometimes it's better to trust the judgment of those who made the rules.

And I agree with Cricket's answer 100%!!

Answer 3

2012

Answer 4

The implication here is that most people who profess religious faith give little thought to why they believe what they believe; hence they do not reason on the matter. I am not sure I understand why people feel that those who are religious are not "using their minds." Not only are faith and reason perfectly compatible but those who profess to follow the Bible are commanded in the Bible to use their thought faculties. They are everywhere encouraged to use their minds and reasoning abilities. Perhaps people are unaware of this.

The very reason I have the faith I now possess is that I took the time to study the Bible in its entirety. In order to do this, I had to use my brain, my thinking faculties, my reasoning and my logic.

I agree with you in this, however: In everyday life, the same people who give little thought to the accuracy or truthfulness of their faith often think other matters through very carefully. To illustrate: people do extensive research before they buy a car or a house; yet when it comes to their religion, those same ones have no problem saying, in effect, "if it was good enough for my parents, it's good enough for me."

So to borrow your phrase, "this is what I have learned during my life": you are right that many people believe whatever without a second thought. They accept it just because they are told to. But may I say, that there are many who do not do that. I have learned that there is sound reason for believing in the Bible with its attendant principles and doctrines. And I have learned that there is sound reason for believing in the existence of an almighty creator - God. I have not come to these conclusions lightly and every bit of my brain was involved in reaching it.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 5

The thing with blind faith is that people who have it will never ever be convinced that their beliefs are anything other than true. That's kinda the whole point of it.

I have no objection until someone tries to tell me what I should believe. I believe/don't believe what I believe/don't believe and that's all there is to it. If we could all be happy in our own beliefs and not try to force them on others, the world would be a jolly big place.

Answer 6

Probably never...

Religion is designed to inject so much fear into your system that you cannot see straight.
It confuses and renders you clinically insane.

In order to truly know 'God', in order to be able to see the madness in it, one must use their heart, but a lot of us have forgotten how to do that. And so we suffer the consequences.

Following misguided principles and dribbles of the logical mind, when all along the answers are in our hearts, and all we need to do is get our 'logical minds' to submit to the wisdom of our heart or in other word the wisdom of God.

In my opinion, through reflection and observation, Religious Wisdom is an oxymoron like saying bitter sweet... they are opposing terms.

Can I get an Amen Sister....

Answer 7

being religious doesn't mean you have to follow everything your religion or "leader" dictates.

faith is not blind and a follower should not be blind

the God who made us all is an intelligent Person and endowed us with the power or Free Will to think and decide if what our "leaders" are teaching are truly according to what our God wants us to do.

And Christians, and Muslims alike have their Scriptures to prove or disprove what the leaders may be talking or babbling about. . . :-)

Answer 8

it's mostly to do with how they were brought up.
raised in a religious family, some people grow out of it , others don;t like to upset the status quo.

i think you'll find that a lot of people who are religious just do it out of habit. it's their comfort zone, where they feel safe, and nothing to do with fact or reality.

Answer 9

it is better to know your religion than to blindly accept whatever is said to you, in islam is always advicable for you to seek and know than to agree with what others say because people may capitalised on your ignorance to use you. if you actually recite, understand and digest the Quran and the hadith you will be better positioned to know it.

Answer 10

As with all things in life, religion should be taken in moderation and within context of common sense.