2007-09-03 07:49:37 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
brainwashing- believing something b/c people have drilled it into you saying its right & you just don't question it
faith- believing something b/c people mentioned it and you relized it was right even though people around you question your judgemet
2007-09-03 07:54:34 · answer #1 · answered by Rach 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Faith is "confidence or trust in a person or thing"...it is "a belief that is not based on proof."
Brainwashing is "method for systematically changing or altering beliefs" typically through the use of "...torture, drugs or psychological-stress techniques"...it is "systematic indoctrination" based on "repetition and confusion".
In my opinion, faith and brainwashing are mutually exclusive concepts. True faith can't possibly be a result of brainwashing because brainwashing is designed to provide "proof" using negative and positive reinforcement. The evidence provided by brainwashing negates the need for faith. Faith is internally motivated trust, brainwashing is externally motivated trust.
Both can certainly lead to the development of religious beliefs, but I think God knows the difference between obedience born of faith in him and that born of the indoctrination of man. I'd go so far as to suggest that many of the people that turn away from a belief in God do so because their belief was a result of indoctrination rather than true faith.
I do believe that some religious leaders (including parents who are technically the religious leaders of their children) do make the mistake of brainwashing the faith right out of their followers. True faith requires people to come to that faith through their own actions not the manipulation of other people.
2007-09-03 15:19:43 · answer #2 · answered by KAL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Faith is allowing yourself to be connected to the energy of Source, Spirit, Mother/Father God, to get the answers directly. You can do this a number of ways, but mainly through meditation, by focusing on love, joy and goodness and asking "how can I be of service to the highest good?". You can do this alone or in a community of others.
There are many ways to connect with the Divine.
Any religion that is based on fear and dogma, has a need to control the minds of its followers and proclaims to be the ONLY way is brainwashing. These religions are as far from the Divine as one can get.
2007-09-03 15:03:39 · answer #3 · answered by magicalpossibilities 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The difference between faith and brainwashing is: faith requires that you put your trust into a Higher Power (Energy Force). For example, I put my faith in my chair that it will hold me up should I choose to sit on it. It is someone/something you can be fully dependent upon. Brainwashing is forcing ideologies into the minds of people for reasons of power and control.
2007-09-03 14:53:49 · answer #4 · answered by arielena_123 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
religious faith is the same a brainwashing, they go hand in hand to deceive people into believing religious beliefs.
Go beyond religion and DO this:
Create Your Relationship with Our Creator
and have UnConditional Love and Peace in Your Life.
2007-09-03 15:00:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Faith is a gift your own to grow and nurture by praying and having fellowship with God... Brainwashing is relying on man only to do the teaching and controlling of certain beliefs and behaviors... I find that in some of our Christian arenas!
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all things will be added unto you ...Seek man first and you never know what you're going to get!
Peace
2007-09-03 14:58:29 · answer #6 · answered by blahblah 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when it comes to religion the difference is that most of those that develop a bit of faith can be alright but there are always those of faith that are in heavy need of a bit of Brainwashing.
But those people usually have other things on the brain that also needed washing long before they got faith
2007-09-03 15:20:10 · answer #7 · answered by genntri 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Brainwashing is against the will while faith is with the will. This is why faith is stronger than brainwashing and harder for the affected to spot.
2007-09-03 14:53:16 · answer #8 · answered by Dharma Nature 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Excellent question.
Honestly, I think the answer lies in "acceptablility".
If you are a member of a huge religion and it is accepted, then you are one of faith. However, if you belong to say....the Branch Davidians...then you are brainwashed.
2007-09-03 15:01:57 · answer #9 · answered by csucdartgirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
faith is having belief GO INTO THE HEART and MIND
brainwashing is having ideas GO OUT OF THE MIND
2007-09-03 14:59:48 · answer #10 · answered by Moonrise 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion dose not brainwash, it gets washed when one is searching for faith in religion.
2007-09-03 14:58:07 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋