Theist,would you agree with the atheist assertion that theist are brainwashed and that we brainwash our kids?

Question

Why or why not?

Answer 1

No. People born in "theist" families sometimes become atheists, and people born in atheist families sometimes become religious, or theists.

My husband was raised in a VERY atheist home (his mom is an apathetic atheist, almost a fundamentalist), and yet he's a nonreligious theist.

One of my friends was raised in a very non-Christian home, and yet she's a theist. She used to be Mormon, but she's reconsidering.

I have yet another friend who was raised in a Christian home, and is now an atheist.

Another friend was raised in a non-religious home and is now Wiccan.

I really don't think it makes a difference how we're raised, or which religion we are raised with.

Answer 2

If you really "nail this in at every opportunity," I don't know if I'd call it brainwashing but it would seem to be over-zealous. (Indoctrination seems to be to be a more accurate word than brainwahing here.) However, if you remove that phrase and just talk about raising a child with a strong notion that there is no god, I see nothing negative at all about that. Parents want to give their children correct information. When their child asks how the earth was made, it would make no sense for them to explain the scientific explanation and then say "however, some people believe that a divine power created the earth from nothing in the span of a day." There would be so many ideas running around the child's head as to be totally confused. You just give the child the information you think is correct...and this information is going to vary depending upon faith and beliefs.

Answer 3

I don't think all theists are brainwashed. Theist just means god-believing. I think theists who belong to a specific religion are more likely to be brainwashed, but even then - you do have a lot of religious people with a functional brain on their shoulders.

(Naturally, there are SOME who probably won't be winning any IQ awards anytime soon, but to be fair - not all atheists are rocket scientists either.)

Answer 4

A successful case of brainwashing: one above.

Answer 5

I was raised christian and went to a christian school for ten years. There is some serious brainwashing going on there. Ever answer to every question seemed to be god. It really inhibited thinking.

Answer 6

Well, as an ex-theist I'd agree; my parents tried real hard to get me to accept the god nonsense, but I resisted!

Answer 7

I'm sure most theists wouldn't - you know, due to the brainwashing.

Answer 8

By the wording of your question, I can't tell who you're accusing of the brainwashing here.
Please clearify.

Answer 9

"theist are brainwashed and that we brainwash our kids?

Yes, I would agree although I would have a slightly different definition of what it means to be "brain washed".

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Answer 10

no its a buzz word .. brain washing would be purposefully tearing down one belief to assert another ... not what a person learns .. otherwise u could say any education at all is a form of brainwashing ..