Can most people help believing whatever they are taught to believe?

Question

If it is drummed into them as a child and they are living in a closed, narrow minded community, it must take strength and intelligence to question things if you're bombarded with it constantly.

Answer 1

People can believe anything. I suggest this exercise to everyone... Take out a pair of dice, and list 11 popular world religions that you'll be able to participate in in your locality... i.e. (It doesn't have to be this list, but this is an example)
2. Right-Wing Evangelical Christianity
3. Catholicism
4. Judaism
5. Mormonism
6. Buddhism
7. Islam
8. Unitarianism
9. Atheism
10. Hinduism
11. Wicca
12. Society of Friends
Now, roll the 2 dice, and see which religion you'll be. Participate fully in that religion for at least a month, but definitely until you get into the rhythm of it's ceremonies, theology and socialization networks.
After practicing that religion for a bit of time, switch back to your base religion. (Repeat the process as you feel necessary, but I'd return to your "base" faith inbetween so you don't lose yourself) You'll quickly find why people believe what they believe. None of these belief systems are practiced only by stupid people. Walk a mile in anyone's shoes, and you'll know them better.

Answer 2

It's practically true--especially today. There are many Protestant churches that are on the edge of being Christian. They say they go by the Bible alone, but many of these churches take a single verse and twist it around to match their beliefs. Some even go as far to make that one verse the meaning behind their entire Christian belief. For example: Anabaptists say that baptism should not be done because they consider it a work. Doesn't matter that there's 40 other references stating that baptism is needed, that it's a Sacrament and that Jesus himself was baptized, because of one verse against works, they don't baptize. Christ certainly did not intend His Church to be that way. It is why it is the Church that is the "pillar and foundation of truth" and not that Bible. We didn't even have the Bible until almost 4 centuries AFTER Christ's death. If the Bible is what we were supposed to use, then Christianity would have died out immediately because there was no Bible. The earliest written Gospel was Matthew around 90 A.D.--meaning there was still at least 60 years for Christianity to have fallen. Christianity would not have survived if people based their faith on Scripture alone. Jesus gave us a visible Church whom guided by the Holy Spirit would have the authority to interpret Scripture and based upon Oral Tradition keep the Church from going into apostasy. That said, there are some beliefs that all Protestants must agree to to be considered Christian: --The Trinity (though even that's becoming a debated issue among Protestants) --Jesus is our Savior --Jesus is God --Sin and the forgiveness of sin --Heaven Unforunately, Hell is being taught to not exist either (nor Satan, which I'm certain he's mad about!) These are some things that must be believed to be even considered Christian, they are the most basic beliefs. After that...yeah, Protestants can pretty much believe and teach whatever they want because there is no authoritative figure to direct them. It is their own interpretation (fallible interpretation) that leads them through their teachings. This is not what Jesus intended. As the eunuch said "How can I understand unless someone directs me?"

Answer 3

Regardless what the teaching and/or behaviors, young children do not have much say or consideration for their parent's belief/behavioral system nor lack thereof, but if those beliefs and behaviors are not borne out in their hearts, minds, and lives they can and do CHOOSE to reject parental behaviors/teachings when they are adults.

An amusing personal example:
My parents were wonderful Christian parents, but I was not only the oldest, but I was always the "why????" child. I wore my parents out within hours with my "why? why? why? about just anything and everything. In desperation, my parents fell back on the old reliable "because I said so!". I can remember sitting in my room and swearing that when I got married and had children I would ALWAYS try to find/give the answers to ALL of my own children's "whys". I did not understand just what I had promised my then unforeseen children before God, but ALL five of my children were BIG WHY askers. I could have taken the easier and less stressful way out by saying "because I said so!" but I never forgot my childhood vow & I made sure that I gave my own children a well-thought out answer for their "whys".

A lot of the time, my own children did not appreciate my "well-thought out" answers any more than I appreciated my own parents "because I said so! answer." But the point is, I could not do much when I was a child about what I considered a cop-out, but I made sure not to do or repeat the same behavior with my own children.

Answer 4

If your child is not a complete dumb nut, and they are taught and well educated, they will be able to form their own decision. Take me for example. I was a born Christian up until middle school where I started to stop believing in God. I hated God because I felt like he wasn't there and I was depressed. Anyhow I was an atheist for 3 years until ( sorry this won't make sense if you don't have faith) God put a message into my heart and I accepted Jesus as my lord and savior. It's just that thing that happend that was so indescribable that I could only marvel at his greatness. Now don't call me an idiot but I did that on my own accord. It doesn't mean i don't belive in science any less, infact i'm studying in biotechnology.

Answer 5

Yes, but it is difficult. I used to be Lutheran, and my parents weren't closed or narrow minded. However, it was still difficult to shed those childhood beliefs. I can imagine that living in a closed, narrow minded community would be much worse. I've heard of some where if you leave the religion, people in a store or passing you on the street won't even talk to you.

That's why religions focus on children so much. It is effective.

Answer 6

People have to read the bible to know the truth. You can't go on by what people tell you. Hopefully, when they grow up they will seek the answers from the source, God's word. I have been in only 2 churches in the last l0 years, and I have questioned some of the teaching myself, but no church is perfect. It's up to us as individuals to study and find the answers. I got most of my answers from word of faith churches and my own studies, but even there, they often put a great emphasis on God wanting us to be rich. Jesus never talked about us getting rich very much. In fact, he hardly ever talked about it. Instead he talked about giving to the poor and helping those in need. So, it does make you wonder. Study, to show yourself approved to God. God Bless!

Answer 7

the bible says" train a child in the way it should go and when it is old it will not depart from it "

MANY teach thier kids things that are not TRUE
and are NOT of GOD

and the parent WILL stand before GOD one day and give an account for it........

but it also says this
" THo are inexcusiable O man "

NONE have an excuse for not accepting the TRUTH
IT is TOLD to us ALL
and it is there for us to SEE
and HEAR IT

Answer 8

I was taught literal creation as a child but was questioning it by junior high. I don't think most people have that much difficulty deciding what makes sense to them.

Answer 9

God does not care if we question Him about our upbringing. He knows just how to show us the truth. I was taught a certain way in the religious sense, but alot of what I was taught was not true and not of God. He has shown me the real truth about Him and what I need to know.

Answer 10

thanks for the compliment of strength and intelligence!!

I think not asking questions about what you believe to be truth makes for a very weak faith.....when you study your history and ask questions of your faith, sometimes the answers aren't what you wanted to hear, which is very hard, but being free from religious dogma and inaccuracies has done me a world of good.