Is this indicative of a method of control? Would people fall away from their religion if they actually knew its history?
2007-08-15 21:31:59 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No blanket assumption, this is based on a question asked moments ago about what religion is the oldest... so... shhh, just answer the question.
BTW I am not an athiest.
2007-08-15 21:42:11 · update #1
This tends to be most common in the bok religions because people just believe what their minister says.
BB
2007-08-16 00:25:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi jamustrip.
Those are some pretty sweeping generalizations. Try looking at people as individuals, instead of prejudging them as a group.
First off, I would place a hefty wager that I am more educated than you on most religions and their histories.
Secondly no one "controls" me in my faith. I am a grown man. I come and go as I please.
As far as "falling away", that is not as likely as you would think. In my experience, the more that people tend to look at the healthy "both sides" of the argument with an open mind, the more likely that they will come to faith. My "educated" friends are both believers and nonbelievers. And in my circles, as the passions of youth wear off and we become "wiser", I have seen a noted shift towards faith, not away from it. But that's just me, I can't answer for entire groups of people.
2007-08-16 05:03:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because most people are born into their religion.
For some people, the feeling of being "safe" is more important than the bloody past or questionable origins of their religion.
2007-08-16 04:42:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the people of that religion, it is about the faith, doctrine, and lifestyle, and not so much about the history.
For people who wish to discredit a belief system, it is difficult to say that one subjective preference is superior to another; but it is easy enough to point out historical inaccuracies and by that attempt to discredit the religion.
That's why nobody really slams on Taoism, I think. (Either that or the Taoists are smart enough to stay off this forum.)
2007-08-16 04:46:21 · answer #4 · answered by SDW 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably not. Its just that in a state of piety, one often forgoes further research on the matter; because as far as they are concerned what they believe is true. It's simply just a issue regarding maturity, and extends itself greatly to those trying to blot out religion as well...
2007-08-16 04:44:01 · answer #5 · answered by pinbacking 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take christianity as an example. Most christians are taught not to question their history just believe. When they do question it as a child or young adult, they are told that they must "just believe" and not to question or they could go to hell!
This is madness! The ability to question and rationalize is one of the things that makes us human. If as a christian who is comfortable in your own beliefs why not be open with your children and answer their questions.
The simple short answer to your question is that the head of the organization teaches people to be ignorant in their own beliefs and not to question.
One of the reasons I left that behind me and found my true path.
)0(
2007-08-16 07:13:22 · answer #6 · answered by Rebecca 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because practitioners of religion often have the lowest capacity for storing information...... and most of that is already filled with dogma.
They couldn't even answer a question about how to water flowers without referring to the bible.
2007-08-16 04:49:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Why is it that Atheists make blanket assumptions about Religious People?
2007-08-16 04:40:47 · answer #8 · answered by Dysthymia 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I think it is because they only read and hear what they want to....
2007-08-16 05:14:39 · answer #9 · answered by *~Ariel Brigalow Moondust~* 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋