To all Christians, Muslims, Jews, Mormons etc - Do we really believe or have we been indoctrinated ,?

Question

to believe that there is a force that guides our lives. For example if i was brought up by my parents to worship a 'fireplace'' then I woud believe that 'fireplace' is my point of worship - Do you get my drift - And if you don't - well don't answer

America - So your parents never told you about God - You found out by yourself and made the choice that God exists

saintrose - So what do you have to say - Please share

D@!Z 1 - Have you read the question properly - i never said that i worship a 'fireplace' - please don't answer unless you read the question correctly

My Dear Seed- I find your answer strange - e.g We all speak in sound and as you know sound travels but where does it go when it passes our ears - up to heaven - is there a lot of sound waves flying around in space like 'sattelites'?

friendshipband - Is there any truth in the quesiton

meissen97 - Thank heavens - someone with balls

To Mike B and all - Listen if we have been told something when we are kids we seem to grasp that and hold on to that - OK later on in life we might not adhere to that - Nevertheless the seed has been planted and the doubt sets in and that doubt never leaves us, as we then begin to question that belief as we get older - Can you see what i mean

Answer 1

Not to be picky but someone who is indoctrinated, aka brainwashed, won't notice they are until they are out of it.

Answer 2

Yes to an extent. My children certainly wouldn't believe in God and Jesus if I hadn't taught them that. There are brainwashing bits and pieces in every religion.

For me, I don't know if I can answer. I was always raised to believe there was a God. Can I honestly say that I would believe that if I hadn't been raised that way? No. But I can question it. I think I would still believe in a higher power but I'm not sure of exactly where I would have landed on the religion spectrum. The truth is, as an adult, I have questioned my beliefs, not just to my specific religion, but whether there is a God at all. So if I was indoctrinated as a child, I made the decision to study and choose for myself as an adult.

Does that make sense or am I rambling?

Answer 3

That is true for all religions. Open up a second grade social studies book. The first chapter will probably deal with culture and its different aspects. Guess what! Religion is one of these, along with the types of foods one eats, the language one speaks, and the clothes one wears. It is very rare for somebody to follow a religion their parents do not.

Answer 4

I think that at an early age indoctrination is a factor.

But then there comes a time when a decision is made, an epiphany is had, and the belief system takes a paradigm shift.

Whether they stay on their present path depends on the quality of their experience.

Answer 5

All parents and societies indocrinate. All sheeple accept it and do not question.

I think one major task of adolescent years is to rebel and think out these matters for themselves and find their own path. If they do not do this, they cannot develop spiritually no matter how useful the indoctrination of childhood has been.

For example, if a Belief system is effective/true/whatever it still won't function for the person who believes by osmosis. The Xrist does not save those who do not personally accept His death and follow example, not just perform rituals.

Everyone must develop their own spiritual path, so I hope most of us are able to detect our various indoctinations and examine them for retention or rejection.

Answer 6

Gezza,

it sounds as if you have been thoroughly indoctinated to believe others are indoctrinated and only you know the truth.

In my own case, I follow the Torah because I see it works. If you can't see that, it's because you have been indoctrinated in falsehood.

Don't bother giving me a thumbs down. It will just prove my point.

Shalom,
Gershon

Answer 7

I totally see what you mean. I don't follow my families religion. I think in my heart I never did. I follow what I truly believe to be the Truth. If I didn't I would have just stayed where I was. It would be easier than being fun of by my family for life.

Answer 8

Well, I was a 40 year old convert. I had a spiritual experience which is too sacred to me to share in answers, but it left me with the knowledge God is true with out a doubt in my heart or mind. I have had sure knowledge of his existence. So yes I know what you are talking about but Now I am one of those trying to let the World know yes there is a God.

Answer 9

I'm Mormon and was raised Mormon, but there comes a point in life where you have to decide for yourself. I think I chose for certain to stay Mormon when I was about 16. It would have been a lot easier and fun in High School to drop my standards and beliefs, but I knew in my heart that the LDS faith was true, so I chose to stay true. I am very glad I did.

Answer 10

Not relevant in Judaism. Judaism is a religion of action, not belief.

The message is not so much about putting our absolute trust in God to come through for us or else. It’s about believing in ourselves, and having the courage to look beyond the reality of “what is” or “what has been” to “what can be.” God never promised us a rose garden. He gave us the roadmap to get there and the capacity to plant and cultivate the seeds of a better world.
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Answer 11

as christians we "believe by faith" and are encouraged to raise up our children in the way that they should go so that when then are old they dont depart from it. we do this by living a life as an example of what Jesus would do
then as a child who comes to an age of accountability
(its a different age for everyone) He chooses to follow his or her own beliefs either in Jesus Christ as Savior or something else.
I choose God's love "His son JC"
not a religion with idols, and rituals, etc.
Just God thru his son Jesus no other name but the name of Jesus