Why do so few people research the facts before believing what they are told by religious leaders?

Question

If they did, they'd realize that proper morals, ethics and spirituality have very little, if anything, to do with religion. Common sense tells one not to assume anything without evidence. Is common sense an uncommon commodity?

Answer 1

If a person was in church from the time they were born, they actually don't know any better. I am speaking from experience here and if you don't know any better and are taught fear then that lessens the chances that you will question what you are being fed. I was actually afraid for many years to question the validity of the god & bible and the whole religion thing. You know, the fear of being "smitten down" Your parents expect you to have common sense while feeding you a line of bull. The relief of being able to express disbelief without instantly dying was unexplainable.

Answer 2

is common sense an uncommon commodity? Yes!
I think that there are so many people who purely exist without any type of hope, that the first person to speak words of hope and give them a way to "be a part of" instead of existing alone, is enticement enough.

Bless them all
)o(
trinity

Answer 3

No doubt it is the same reason people blindly accept what they're taught about science without taking the time to research it themselves and go to a University to get a degree in physics, biology, physical anthropology etc... The vast majority of people seem to be content with or perhaps apathetic to not knowing the real facts and just accepting what they are told by someone 'smarter.'

What percentages of people out there who believe in evolution truly understand all the complexities and factors involved in the theory? The same question can be asked about astronomy? How many people have really studied and have a full grasp on any number of things they believe and accept as fact?

Answering these questions honestly does no damage to the theories (or facts) themselves, but I think it would illustrate that most people really don't fully comprehend what they believe. Humans tend to accept what they are taught and have gotten used to as reality. It's only a small minority of people who take the time to do a thorough investigation of the details of anything before claiming a belief as their own.

I've done it too. In space, I've never seen a quasar, never studied it in any detail, but I accept that they are real because people who are supposed to be honest experts in the field say so. The same thing can be said regarding black holes, the core of the earth or any number of scientific 'facts' and 'theories.' A ridiculous amount of established world and national history that is taught in schools as fact is inaccurate at best and propaganda at worst, yet a lot of people just believe it.

I bet if you did an honest survey of yourself you'd see that there are many things that you take for granted as fact or truth that you actually have very little direct knowledge of. But I reiterate, that is only if it is an honest survey.

I think we only get into trouble when a person hinges too much of his ego or identity on certain beliefs and ideas; any belief or idea for that matter. That’s when it becomes psychologically or emotionally painful to even suspend them briefly enough to actually, honestly consider the merits of an opposing view. This is a trait that affects people of all classes, stations and creeds, both religious and secular. Certain institutions encourage this kind of behavior more than others but they are also a diverse lot whether religious, political, economic or social. The average person likes to have a leader who can figure it out for them and the cult of personality affects religious and secular alike.

I think the bigger issue is; how do we encourage more people in general to see the merit in honest and thorough, unbiased research? How do we encourage more people to free their identity from dependence upon whatever sub-group they have categorized themselves within (Atheist, Jew, Black, White, Republicrat etc ..) in order for them to be able to do honest and sincere investigation into ideas that might make them uncomfortable? I think that when the majority of the population is able to understand, respect and honestly weigh the pros and cons of different perspectives including their own, only then will we start to see more peace in the world.

Answer 4

Right now you're pronouncing on your self I ponder whether what I felt used to be real? How do I are aware of it used to be real? Well I can inform you I additionally realize from an overly non secular revel in that the guide of Mormon is right. Also your reply lies inside that guide additionally. In first Nephi three:21-30 it tells of the brothers of Nephi seeing an Angel. Yet in verse 31 they're already doubting the revel in. Now directly to Chapter 15 Nephi offers them propose in verses 10, and eleven after Lehi's dream. Now directly to Chapter sixteen it's obtrusive they have got satisfied themselves that they certainly not did see an angel, 36,37, and 38. However in Chapter 39 they as soon as once more obtain evidence of God. Another phrases its your center you have got to difference you may have acquired revelation that it's all real however you allow doubt take its preserve and your equipped to push apart the actual revelation you may have acquired I realize your stories have no longer been as theirs however I do not feel it makes a lot change as doubt can't are living within the equal spirit as religion one have got to triumph over the opposite. The convenient strategy to realize of in actual fact to consider the way you felt whilst the ones stories occurred and appear for them extra more often than not God will exhibit you several indicators so long as you may have religion to obtain them. However desire you certainly not obtain the equal witness they acquired as they acquired evidence. Now with that evidence God has no different choice however to sentence them as they have been then sinning towards the Holy Ghost.

Answer 5

You got it in one... "Common" sense is NOT Common...

I am actually VERY religious BUT my religion DEMANDS that I use the brains the Gods gave me.....

If you do not count Personal Gnosis as evidence of Deity, that is up to you. I recognize that you do not occupy the same place in the space-time continuum as I do and so cannot have the identical experiences on the quantum level as I have.

Answer 6

Well, honestly, I disagree with you. That said I think the reason why SOME don't research what their leaders tell them, is probably the same reason why SOME don't research what others tell them about various religions, could be they feel lazy, could be they trust the person telling them these things.

Answer 7

What is your evidence for common sense?

Seriously, easy answers only satisfy those who do not really want to know.

Answer 8

Common sense is about as common as a buffalo nickel...at least these days it seems to be.

Answer 9

Well the Founders believed religion and morality were linked, so although the Founding Fathers were very fallible men, you throw dirt in the face of everything they believed.

Answer 10

Common sense? Who's common sense? In Nazi Germany it was the common sense of those in power to exterminate Jews. Pleny of other instances where it was the comnon sense of those who committed attrocities to commit them. (Including religionists).