Is it so impossible for people to believe that religions are simply elaborate social control mechanisms?

Question

Whenever a large group of individuals is being manipulated by a single individual, a small minority, or a doctrine created by either, they tend to exhibit three specific features:

1) They always claim their participation is of their own free will.
2) They always claim their doctrine is sacrosanct (& perfect.)
3) They always declare outsiders to be "the unenlightened", but they always welcome them to "join in."

A final feature is that on the occasions when people escape these social control mechanism, they always feel guilty for having participated, and they often make devoted efforts to "bring down" the aforementioned institutions in the future.

Look at all historically oppressive societies, groups, organizations, cults, and governments. They all possess these features. Now look at religions. What do you see?

Now think...

Isn't it possible - just possible - that the religion you believe in, the religion you are certain you follow of your own free will, is actually controlling you?

Answer 1

Their participation is not entirely of their own free will because religions like Christianity indoctrinate their children from birth. If a four year old child were to say that they did not want to be a Christian anymore the parents would not let that child leave and they would force them to go to church even if they had someone to watch the child while they were away.

If the child mentioned that he or she wanted to be Jewish instead, the parents might teach them about the religion or even let them visit a synagogue, but it is doubtful any Christian parent in the world would let the child attend services on a regular basis until they reached adulthood.

This is done with the best intentions of course, but the fact remains that children virtually have no choice early on in their life on what church they go to.

Later on, most parents will let their children decide whether or not they can leave their religion but not without a psychological struggle as they will exert pressure on the children to stay in.

So yes, it is a form of brainwashing and it does control their view of the world.

It is done with the sincere belief that they are helping people, but just because a group does something with good thoughts in mind does not automatically exclude them from practicing a form of mind control.

Answer 2

Wow this one is tough, people are so sensitive about these things. I think religion comes from a fear of death generally, and people wanting to believe that they'll live on after they die is a mental security that they feel they can't live without. If the 'eternal spirit' part of it is impossible to you, which it is for me, then to you that's believing the impossible, but it may not be to someone who 'believes' in eternal life. And they follow the 'meaningless rules' because that's what they believe will keep bad things from happening to them, during this life and the next. I'm sure there's an explanation for why many people are so certain of their religious beliefs while others find them ridiculous, as such a fundamental part of our being is so different from one person to the next, it's hard to understand from either side, but you can certainly be 'spiritual' without idols or gods. Philosophy is a much more stimulating and sensible moral and ethical aid than religion.

Answer 3

The 'escape' you mention, can be considered a 'divorce'. When divorce is imminent, people stop the maintenance of the relationship. No relationship is possible without compromise, and when compromise ceases, the divorce process becomes automatic. Small compromises are often exaggerated in the mind of the individual leaving a relationship, and often provide further incentive for divorce. The efforts of a group to maintain the relationship with an individual who has decided to split, are often seen as controlling by the individual. The stronger the bond, and the deeper the commitment to the relationship, the greater the animosity that may be required for the split.

Such animosity can be researched, do a search for the name 'Ted Patrick'. Here is a link that is a good start;

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu6qFzXlGCkoATGdXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE3b3VyMmMzBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2UEdnRpZANGODU3XzEzMgRsA1dTMQ--/SIG=11smc29l6/EXP=1182473989/**http%3a//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Patrick

I have met many people, who have personal experiences with this man, and others like him. Their zeal to 'save' people, can be as reckless as the alleged cult they oppose.

Answer 4

Many people believe religion is a social control mechanism. Most religions follow some form of the Ten Commandments, which mainly has to do with how one treats others. We would probably follow most of them anyway, even if we did not believe they are divinely inspired.

Answer 5

Religions as they were and are today? Hell yes! Take Christianity for example, Constantine did exactly what you say. He used the teachings of Jesus and turned it into a state religion. Control...

They all do it... So I have to agree with you to a point. The pure teachings of some religions however do not have that big social control aspect outside of universal morality. Generally that stuff was added by people who wanted to wield power over the sheep.

Answer 6

It's not possible that religion is simply that. There is a real human emotional need to know those big hows and whys. Religion is sought after by people as a way to satisfy themselves. That's an important part, too, I think.

Answer 7

Your mistake is having religion be your controlling factor. Faith should be the only factor you seek and if you have never asked Christ into your heart and to be forgiven for your sins you will never know faith. You plop yourself on a chair with faith, that it will hold you up without a thought it will fail. That's the faith you must have in Christ, you can't see faith but you will always feel faith. If all you have is on this Earth with nothing to look forward to, how do you make it each day?.

Answer 8

That is exactly the purpose of religion. Social control. Religion is just superstition. However, if the religious don't mind being regulated by myth, it's OK with me.

Answer 9

I see a group forming.

With no basis but skepticism.

You think it is a perfect doctrine.

You are trying to get people to follow you and you think everyone who is not in your group is unenlightened.

When you realise its not true, you will do everything you can to bring it down.

That's if you have the capacity to think of your formed group (formed on the basis of "what if") in that way.

Answer 10

You people all need to lighten up. I usually go to church. But if i really don't fell like giving money or actually going... I don't. So I make my point in the realm of "I do what I ******* want to do." (Although I like going to church because I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. + I won't force my religion on anyone.)