NationStates Jolt Archive

Been a big thought on my mind lately. How so many Follow religions so blindly. I wonder how many question there religion and ask if its what they Truely believe or just follow the crowds.

Now I do believe that many find salvation and a new life thanks to a religion. But, I still wonder.

Your Thoughts?

It depends if you're just following it because you were brought up that way, or if you actually made a choice.
Of course, I have never seen anyone mind controlled by religion… aliens and vampires do that.

Well, considering that the people that aren't religious are the ones claiming that it is "mind control" or that it was "shoved down their throats" one does have to note the irony of the situation.

I think the concept of religion in general is only good as a measure of control. Having said that, though, I have a lot of religous friends (including my wife) and when they talk about their faith I think they honestly believe they're trying to save souls, without any other motive. So, I'd say religion tends to be about control from the top and about soul-saving from the rank and file. That's how I jugde them, too. Fellow infidels, can you really get that mad at someone who is sincerely trying to save you from an eternity of torture? Whether Hell exists is not relevant; the important issue is that they believe it does.

I don't know about Mind Controlling the Masses, as such. I do feel, however, that Religion shows a dreadful tendency to oppress mankind's spiritual discovery and constrain it within pre-defined groupings. I don't know about mind control, but it's certainly not Saving souls.

when you look at the things people come up with "all on their own" i think its a necessary "mind control"

religious and superstitious thoughts are natural. everyone has them no matter how they are raised. religion channels those thoughts into more controlled and useful veins.

for the majority of religions its a good thing. some few cutls and sects mercilessly use their followers to benefit only the leaders (scientology, the moonies, pat robertson)

I'd say that 99% of religions have good intentions, genuinely feel that they are doing good and don't try to control anyones mind. The only exceptions would be serious fundamentalism, scientology :rolleyes: and state religions in some communist countries.

So I'd say that religion doesn't 'mind-control the masses' but it has been used in that way in the past.

I know some people who have changed to the better due to religion, but as most people know I am against all aspects of all religion due to the fact that human nature will always contort and twist it in order to fit a singular underlying negative moral fabrication, utilized to serve the will of a single person and sometimes forced on others.

If it's mind controlling the masses, why aren't you all some sort of religion by now?

the best thing you can do with religion is not tie yourself down to one specific religion because there are a lot of good things to learn from each religion just keep an open mind and you'll find yourself more and more enlightened

i follow no religion, blindly. however i do believe that religion itself can be a force for good... however organised religion - the church - is indeed an instrument of control. or at least thats what it inevitably turns into. after all didn't jesus say organised religion was a bad thing or something (i don't really know)?

Practically every religion says "love is greater than temptation" (or something).

Forget love...I'd rather fall in chocolate! :p

Please don't follow any religion blindly. Actually, don't follow anything blindly. If you are going to commit yourself to a religion (preferably and advisably Christianity), please understand it first. It's like understanding the previleges and responsibilities when you open a bank account.

imo religion originated to explain the unexpainable (like thunder etc.) and to make people follow the most important moral laws.
if you compare most religions they all basicaly say the same: have respect for other people.
later religion became (partially) an instrument of mind control. like the king who gets blessed by the pope or something, that way you can't revolt against a king without acting against the law of god.
today i don't think it is much about mindcontrol anymore, we have better law(-enforcement) now, but it exists because people actually still believe it and think it is good/important.

the problem with religions like christianity is it tells you to repress your animal instincts me I see myself siding more with laveyan satanism

Religion?: The biggest bank in the world.

Religion?: The biggest bank in the world.When you successfully make a withdrawal, I'll admit the validity of that statement. <_<

Religion? The wealthiest enterprise and the biggest Art Museum in the world.

:D

Religion? The wealthiest enterprise and the biggest Art Museum in the world.

:DThat'll do. ^_^

I know some people who have changed to the better due to religion, but as most people know I am against all aspects of all religion due to the fact that human nature will always contort and twist it in order to fit a singular underlying negative moral fabrication, utilized to serve the will of a single person and sometimes forced on others.

Why do you need religion to do that? Plenty of that has happened without religion: Communism, Attila the Hun, and Genghis Khan are what come to mind immediately.

Depends on how many mind-altering drugs are used.

Religion is typically a good thing but it can be used to get some measure of control over a society. Religions express societal virtues and conforming to your societies religious beliefs tends to create more harmony in some ways and can help both sides out. Societies are kept strong by a moral foundation of some form and religion both reinforces that foundation and can also force upon people that moral foundation at the same time.

Bitta B and a bit of complete harmlessness.

religion is great. That is...if you want to be a good person.

If you want to really live after death, Jesus is the way to go. He never meant to make a religion, just to save people. :)

any religion that says if I don't do this and believe that I'll suffer for eternity is a blatant insult to my intelligence

any religion that says if I don't do this and believe that I'll suffer for eternity is a blatant insult to my intelligence
Bah, all of society tells you that if you do something differently that you will be punished or shunned. Religion is not really that much different from any other institution in that respect, it is just that we can see the stoners go to jail, the uncool kids shunned and teased, but we just can't see the sinners going to hell.

Been a big thought on my mind lately. How so many Follow religions so blindly. I wonder how many question there religion and ask if its what they Truely believe or just follow the crowds.

Now I do believe that many find salvation and a new life thanks to a religion. But, I still wonder.

Your Thoughts?

One doesn't have to have religion to have faith in God.

Religion is nothing more than a bunch of people getting together to live by rules set by the guy in the funny jacket who claims to hear God speaking. :p

Please don't follow any religion blindly. Actually, don't follow anything blindly. If you are going to commit yourself to a religion (preferably and advisably Christianity), please understand it first. It's like understanding the previleges and responsibilities when you open a bank account.

I'm not sure I'd agree with you about the "preferably and advisably Christianity" part- the widespread nature of Christianity makes it far to easy to convince yourself that you and the people surrounding you are right and everyone else is wrong. Apart from that, though, I entirely agree with you. In fact, if I recall correctly, the Buddha made one comment along the lines that you should never accept his word blindly- you should consider it for yourself. It's rather a pity that so few other religious leaders followed his example.

Religion is a relationship that we (individual humans) form and develop with whatever is our concept of god.

My thoughts? A spiritual community ceases to be religious in nature when it begins to abuse its followers devotion. Then it becomes a cult.