If we believe in a Religion do we Surrender our ability to reason?

Question

Could this part of the reason we seem to trust Lying Theiving Politicians?

"Man once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder, is the sport of every wind."

-Thomas Jefferson to James Smith, 1822.

All good answers
But like most good questions involving
the human condition The answer I believe is too complex to fit in a small box. Thank you each and every one
for giving this some thought.

Answer 1

Perhaps it's not that believing robs one of reason. Perhaps it's just that people with under developed reason believe.

Answer 2

No and no. You really think that religion has anything to do with people trusting lying, thieving politicians? That's pretty narrow-minded thinking, and not very "reasonable." Take countries like China or the former Soviet Union where religion was banned or played no part in the government. You really think their politicians were more honest? Hardly.

Nice quote, though. But it is not really relevant.

Answer 3

Blind faith in anything, religion, politicians, etc... is by definition the complete lack of reason. If you believe in something to the point where facts and logic don't matter than you have lost all ability to reason.

Answer 4

What "bag" do you put people who are very intelligent....have very high IQ's, and have multiple degrees......who just happen to believe in something greater than themselves?

I'm an Atheist who doesn't understand how you and some other Atheist can do that.

Making such a statement makes us all seem very arrogant and close-minded.

Answer 5

Belief in a religion doesnt mean surrendering the ability to reason..it means believing in something greater than you....and as for believing in politicians....how many ppl really think about wat the politicians are doing and ask them about it??does their indifference mean they believe in politicians?