Why is a belief in religion considered brainwashing by some individuals?

Question

I have not specified a religion.
I am asking a general question.
Looking for all ideas not criticism.

Some people research religions to find our if they are comfortable with one. So why would they be considered brainwashed?

Answer 1

I think that the main problem is that many people tend to prefer others to have the same beliefs that they do. If somebody has a religious belief, their colleagues may consider this to be a form of brain-washing, especially if they don't agree with the same doctrines.

I have encountered certain cults that have made me worry about friends. They include those stating that there is only one way to look at a problem and some that support the idea of the leader having vast wealth, while followers have to make financial sacrifices. Some are very patronising about women or tell people who they can associate with. While I don't think that the followers have their brains washed, they have very few choices and are more or less told how to run their lives. I think some people like this, because they don't have to make difficult decisions, but I still feel that these kinds of religions are too intrusive and that leaders take advantage of vulnerable followers.

Answer 2

Sometimes people simply parrot what they have heard. Other times it is considered brainwashing because they are convinced that person is wrong - dogmatically wrong. So then that person is brainwashed. Now if the person believed as they did - dogmatically so - then that person would not be brainwashed at all. That person would be intelligent, open-minded, reasonable, and so on. See?

Of course, some people ARE brainwashed, but more often than not, the adjective is simply a pejorative label used because labels stick - and its easier to simply call somebody a name and receive a validating pat on the back for doing so.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 3

The reason we have three thousand denominations of two churches or more is that many of them set themselves up as the mediator of truth while scriptures say there is only one mediator. Paul said not to follow him, but Christ. A good parent sets you up for life, but doesn't run yours for you. Churches are to set you up with god and the spirit and not to interfere with the relationship. They overstep their authority and tell you what to think and not how to think. Do even the schools teach the thinking process? I find they don't know it. Science is the closest thing popularly known. You can get the spirit, the helper by just doing exactly what Jesus said, love your neighbor, forgive, and be humble, that is not to think any more of yourself than you have to, but think so as to have a sound mind. What the churches are doing is often insane, and mankind follows suite. His sheep hear his voice not someone else's. That's a mature christian. A church can get you started, maybe, but god finishes the work. I had to move to another one when I had learned all they had and that they couldn't even follow their own teachings. As a matter of fact we all have valuable information. Religion should make us strong, not a basket case needing human leaders. They are useful only to a point. If they own you, when do you own yourself? The rule is, know the truth and the truth will set you free. Getting the spirit of truth may not happen in one particular church. You may have to search, but you should know it when you get it and you probably already have it, to some extent, as well. If you look to the spirt it will lead you also into which church. The closest common term is intuition. Here's a scientific definition. The first paragraph sums it up. You might read the whole article, I suspect it's going to be good although I've only read the first paragraph so far. lol

Answer 4

belief in 'anything' technically is brainwashing- when you give rules, tell people they must follow them, discourage them from looking elsewhere or to even interpret things in their own way, and don't encourage critical thinking, unbiased comparision and fearlessness

belief in santa claus is brainwashing- telling kids he will come if you are good...threatening no presents if you are bad

brainwashing is a belief in the mind, Knowing is belief from the soul

still, people can feel when something is right..and you should trust your inner guidance system

...but ask yourself-

are you feeling True Joy or the ego fullfillment of righteousness...a "i'm better than you"?

are you motivated by fear or love?

it can be tricky-it is possible to hold a partial truth, to understand only a part of great spiritual Truth, to be on your way to understanding..and we all are evolving towards or ascending out of the mind and into the soul

Answer 5

No, trying to convince others to accept your beliefs is what is considered brainwashing. Once you've got the beliefs, your brain has already been washed.

What would you call it when someone tries to make you believe stories that have no factual or logical basis, accept them as true, and to then live your life based on them?

Answer 6

i am a muslim i believe in ALLAH...u meant no offence to my religion but i mean offence to those individuals who told u about this because if u love someone it's based on a trust and belief and if u are living then this is for a purpose so your life is nothin if it is aimless...they call it brainwashing because they want to prove themselves superior than others and prove evrything theoritically....but then also if u believe that there is no god then there isnt any..the question itself depends on a belief that u wana believe or not....

Answer 7

Because often belief in religious people is blind acceptance of what is written in the Bible, for example, without thinking about the consequences.

Just because a book, written and published by human beings, *says* it contains the "words of God", doesn't mean it does. The Bible is thousands of years old, over time who knows whom could've altered the "holy" text to their own ends, for their own agendas.

Answer 8

Your imposition of superstitious nonsense on unsuspecting, harmless little ones could be a criminal offense. How can pushing your primitive faerie thoughts onto a newborn no longer be considered imposing? Get a clue.

Answer 9

why is it brainwashing?

Because if the people around you werent religious i guarantee you wouldnt be either.

Human beings are social animals, religious people espescially, and for this reason of fitting in you choose not to consider the possiblity that your fellows might be wrong about the bible.

Answer 10

Because they are terrified that they lack the ability to think for themselves. They project that fear onto others by accusing them of being "brainwashed" or of "brainwashing".