Does religion hinder the whole learning process?

Question

Doesn’t the learning process rely on an open book/blank slate approach to potential knowledge? And isn’t religion all about preconceived concepts of gods, creation, heaven etc? Aren’t preconceived concepts going to at least hinder if not completely obstruct the flow of knowledge? Does this neatly explain the problem that creationists have, with their preconceived notions of god and creation which doesn’t match up with any discoveries science, the quest for knowledge, has made? Would the solution to poor education standards in countries like the USA be to get rid of these preconceived notions which hinder the learning process? Are there enough questions in this question?

Answer 1

I tend to think that it taints it. The acceptance of a god is a HUGE assumption that all learning must filter through. When your personal filter is based on an assumption, it is possible to reject good ideas and accept bad ideas as a result.

Answer 2

1) "Does religion hinder the whole learning process?"
Certainly not. B.S. in Physics and Christian fundamentalist.

2) "Doesn’t the learning process rely on an open book/blank slate approach to potential knowledge?"
No.

3) "And isn’t religion all about preconceived concepts of gods, creation, heaven etc?"
Not necessarily - but, generally, yes.

4) "Aren’t preconceived concepts going to at least hinder if not completely obstruct the flow of knowledge?"
Certainly not. Why?

5) "Does this neatly explain the problem that creationists have, with their preconceived notions of god and creation which doesn’t match up with any discoveries science, the quest for knowledge, has made?"
Just one example: the Big Bang Theory was created by a Roman Catholic priest and scientist who, discontent with the popular steady-state theory, felt the need to produce a theory that fit all the facts but also allowed for creation.
Clearly, our "preconceived notions" do, at times (in fact, almost always), match up with discoveries science has made.

6) "Would the solution to poor education standards in countries like the USA be to get rid of these preconceived notions which hinder the learning process?"
No, since
a) You have provided no evidence to suggest that "these preconceived notions" do, indeed, "hinder the learning process"
b) You have provided no connection between a "hindered learning process" and "poor education standards"

I suspect that the solution would be to simply raise the education standards. It might help to have a cultural respect for educational success like that which is present in most (all?) countries with more successful education programs.

7) "Are there enough questions in this question?"
Yes, but they are the wrong ones.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 3

Learning about another religion does not mean you have to accept it, nor should any favoritism be displayed in public education. Accepting or rejecting to any extreme is not progressive in the quest for education. But the task of educating is the responsibility of the individual, if you have a question then find the answer you do not need permission from anyone to learn about anything you can dream up. If we would stop relying on people to give us answers we wouldn't feel hindered or obstructed when they do not give us the answers we are looking for. Stop hindering yourself; seek your own answers and you will find out more than you even asked for...

Answer 4

No just certain people in them

Edit: With that same thought process you have to ask yourself what is the point of going to school...what is the point of asking anyone questions. Our present state is based on accumulated knowledge from the past - and the past is also encumbant upon our future. Yes there is a certain truth to the open slate idea but in order to get anywhere you need to rely on what others can contribute at some point. That is true in pretty much any aspect of life. For example: If you are lost or trying to find a certain destination, do you not consider consulting a source that will give you directions to where you want to go?

Another difference is that preconcieved notions are derived from one's self. When a person makes the decision to believe in God, it is because they have learned about a certain attribute of God from a source other than him/herself, such as the bible.

Answer 5

Yes, The knowledge of God will hinder the learning process if the learning process is false. Education and the Bible should go hand in hand. If education differs from the Word of God, you'd best check the facts of education.

The USA has poor education standards because our schools have forgotten God in them. However, evolution didn't creep into most schools in the US until the 1960's, even though Darwin wrote his book in 1859 and the trial in US was in 1925. But do you remember in 1969 the USA put the first man on the moon? We weren't too dumb back then. Evolution seemed to halt our learning process, especially since the same folks pushing it, the Secular Humanists, were pushing prayer out of school, pushing the Ten Commandments out of school and pushing the Word of God, the Holy Bible out of school. They were pushing for abortions and a sexual revolution and it all happened.

And the Christian churches in America said nothing, did nothing and invited these heathen into their pews.

Answer 6

I think that it does hinder the whole learning process. With almost any religion, you're told some unproved bit of myth and are expected to believe it. You go on in your life thinking that it's true while other people who think that it's not true are actually learning the real truth.

Answer 7

I'll throw a 'yes' blanket over all of those.

I doubt any USian and or xian will agree with us though; that'd invite self-questioning and neither USians nor xians like doing that cos the whole fabric of their beliefs would unravel and, mixing metaphors here, their house of cards would all fall down ... as in Ring a ring a rosey,
A pocketful of posies.
ah-tishoo, ah-tishoo.
We all fall down.
.

Answer 8

Religion doesn't IF the person is open minded enough to think beyond the dogma of their beliefs. I believe in both evolution and creation. Other nations have religions or philosophies of life and they aren't failing as miserably in school as the U.S. However, they do have a very high suicide rate (Japan for example). And, yes, you have a lot of questions in a small space!

:)

Answer 9

So how do you explain that private schools, that are most often tied to some religion, are in general better schools and provides a better education than most public schools?

Answer 10

Some does, esp. false religion which proves itself by keeping people from questioning and comparing.

In fact, the credo of most Christian religions esp. on such things as the trinity is "don't try to understand it, just accept it". Or it is not understandable, but it is true (if it is not possible to understand, then how did humans think it up in the first place to claim it is true?)

Or other useless comments, just believe it and don't question, then when you die and go to heaven you can ask him yourself...etc.

I find most religion totally ignorant.

Debbie