Someone answered another question of mine saying that if you quote the bible you have no thoughts of your own... that you're just brainwashed. The person was proud that all the opinions he has are his own.
But in truth, very rarely do people have opinions and ideas that are entirely original and completely their own. You and I pick up opinions and values and assumptions from everything around us - TV, movies, friends, family, newspaper, etc. Everything we encounter changes us and shapes our opinions...
The question is what *source* is changing your brain? A program that someone created to excite you and sell you things? A friend who likes to drink and party and pass out? A politician who is hungry for power?
I chose to allow the bible to change and mold me and how I think. I accept the truth therein as a guide to being a better person. I still have independent thought, but I choose to submit my will to God. Do you understand?
2007-08-30 19:26:52 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes i understand, but having your opinions shaped by something and actually quoting something are two very different things.
2007-08-30 19:31:50 · answer #1 · answered by benthehen100 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I chose to allow the bible to change and mold me and how I think. I accept the truth therein as a guide to being a better person. I still have independent thought, but I choose to submit my will to God. Do you understand?
I understand =] I did the same thing as a Muslim...as if I'm putting truth above "Islam" even though truth leads me to Islam. Well, whatever works for u.
Peace.
2007-08-31 02:31:53 · answer #2 · answered by justmyinput 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too choose to follow the Bible and you are exactly right! I consider myself an educated person and yet anytime I tell a non-believer that I follow the Bible, they assume that I'm uneducated and slow. I feel that by choosing to follow Jesus and the Bible that I've made the better decision than the people who base their lives on TV, Internet, and magazines and call ME brainwashed!! The Bible hasn't changed but those others change almost everyday. At least I have a firm grip on my beliefs and they don't change!!!!
2007-08-31 02:45:25 · answer #3 · answered by Pjsnewlife 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Here is some great food for thought. If you believe in the word of God, then you must also believe that there is power in the word of God itself.
So why would you care what others think?
"The word of God is alive, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and the joints and the marrow, and is a critic of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
I will quote the word of God, because I believe God's word to be powerful.
Remember God spoke the universe into existence.
2007-08-31 02:37:18 · answer #4 · answered by Lover of God 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nature or nurture?
I try to learn as much as I can from nature, it's a ceaseless source of joy and discovery. I also am inspired by the words of the (pre-European) American Indians in this respect, I find much of value in their worldview. Words of patriarchal religions under the umbrella term 'Faith' (including the Bible) do not generally inspire much in me as they are rarely from a position of enquiry and wonder.
Organized (dominionist) religion is to my mind the cessation of enquiry, and the death of wonder. To me, at least. I enjoy the natural sciences, but wonder if I am influenced by them? Science is not the be all and end all of our experience. I am in awe of the cosmos, and nature. And I hope I'm never arrogant enough to claim I know the 'answer', because if I do, I'll never be certain that I didn't ask the wrong question!
2007-08-31 02:36:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Washing = cleanliness.
So washing of the brain by the Bible is to wash it clean.
nothing wrong with that.
why do you think the Bible was written?
So it is in writing, just like a textbook, and can be STUDIED.
MATCHING ALL THE SCRIPTURES TO GET THE TRUE MEANING
When the Bible say that Jesus is the SON of God, it does not mean that Jesus is God himself.
It makes him separate from his Father.
And in so doing, makes many religions who believe falsely that Jesus IS God, makes them liars.
doing the works of the " Father of the Lie"
(John 8:44) YOU are from YOUR father the Devil, and YOU wish to do the desires of YOUR father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of [the lie].
2007-08-31 03:34:38 · answer #6 · answered by pugjw9896 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As Bobby Dylan said "you're gonna have to serve somebody".
Morgie, dear, I quote scripture all the time. I'll be glad to match wits with atheists any day. I have a very solid understanding of history, sociology, biology, physics, genetics, engineering, music, cultural anthropology, and theology.
My kids are valedictorians and scholars, award winners, and creative thinkers.
Learning God's word is a help, not a hindrance.
2007-08-31 02:35:16 · answer #7 · answered by TEK 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When you follow the Bible you are not forming your own opinions about what to think based on experience, education, rationality, thought, and fairness.For instance, your Bible says homosexuality is wrong and so that is that and most Christians base their opinion on what the Bible says.Does that really involve forming an opinion based on experience, education, rationality, thought, and fairness?I think not.Hence, when you have your opinions spoon fed to you, you generally are at least a bit brain washed.Nobody tells me what to think.I gained my opinions from experience, education, rationality, thought, and fairness.My opinions might sound the same as many others.But I gained them on my own.
2007-08-31 02:42:13 · answer #8 · answered by Demopublican 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good point, the fact is there hasn't been a truly original idea since Spinal Tap decided to add an "11" to their amplifiers.
2007-08-31 02:32:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I'm not Christian, but I have friends and family who are--and are still perfectly capable of thinking for themselves.
They read the Bible for spiritual guidance, but they don't necessarily accept what they are told about it (e.g., by their pastor) without questioning, or praying directly to God for their answers.
2007-08-31 02:45:38 · answer #10 · answered by marisalwood 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its okay to be a two legged bible if you wish but what is important is two test you understanding with an opem mind coz they come to you with questions and you start building a wall what good is you being this two legged example ,do you understand?
2007-08-31 02:42:42 · answer #11 · answered by czaryang 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋