Brainwashed ...

[StuartJ]

Brainwashing (also known as mind control, menticide, coercive persuasion, thought control, thought reform, and re-education) is the concept that the human mind can be altered or controlled by certain psychological techniques.

Brainwashing is said to reduce its subjects ability to think critically or independently,[1] to allow the introduction of new, unwanted thoughts and ideas into the subjects mind,[2] as well as to change his or her attitudes, values, and beliefs.[3][4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainwashing

Is this an accurate description of religion ...?

[bjs]

[Replying to post 4 by StuartJ]


At first I was going to post was:

***************

Is this an accurate description of religion ...?

No.

Those of us who are religious by intent are the LEAST likely be brainwashed by ANY belief system: From Atheism, to Fascism, to Communism, to any group of sheeple.
****************

But then I realized that I had used the word sheeple. Even tongue and cheek, that is too silly of a thing for me to say.

So I guess what I am saying now is:
Im out. This thread is pointless. Religious people arent brainwashed. Atheists arent brainwashed. People disagree about important things. Learn to respect other points of view.

[StuartJ]

[Replying to post 11 by bjs]

Those of us who are religious by intent are the LEAST likely be brainwashed by ANY belief system: From Atheism, to Fascism, to Communism, to any group of sheeple.

Atheism is NOT a belief system.

Those of us here who are Atheists point this out over and over and over again.

It's worth carefully considering WHY people of faith say that it is, over and over and over again.

Repetition is a brainwashing technique.

Jesus was a Shepherd.

A number of popes were named Gregory.

Feed my sheep ....

[RedEye]

Brainwashing (also known as mind control, menticide, coercive persuasion, thought control, thought reform, and re-education) is the concept that the human mind can be altered or controlled by certain psychological techniques.

Brainwashing is said to reduce its subjects ability to think critically or independently,[1] to allow the introduction of new, unwanted thoughts and ideas into the subjects mind,[2] as well as to change his or her attitudes, values, and beliefs.[3][4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainwashing

Is this an accurate description of religion ...?

Very much so. Religion is unique in that it has developed a systematic method of brainwashing children almost from birth. It was realized very early on that you needed to get them young (before they could think critically for themselves) and then you could hold them for life. By the time they had developed the capacity for critical thinking, the indoctrination would be too deeply ingrained to be overcome. That is exactly what happens in churches and mosques all around the world.

"Give me the child for the first seven years and I will give you the man".
--- Jesuit maxim

An acknowledgement that brainwashing works.

[RedEye]

Brainwashing (also known as mind control, menticide, coercive persuasion, thought control, thought reform, and re-education) is the concept that the human mind can be altered or controlled by certain psychological techniques.

Brainwashing is said to reduce its subjects ability to think critically or independently,[1] to allow the introduction of new, unwanted thoughts and ideas into the subjects mind,[2] as well as to change his or her attitudes, values, and beliefs.[3][4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainwashing

Is this an accurate description of religion ...?

Is it an accurate description of atheism?

Who is brainwashing atheists and how are they doing it?

[RedEye]

[Replying to post 1 by StuartJ]

Wow, that really might be. Although, it is likely also true for any group we might belong to. When we identify with any group it quickly causes us to justify the groups actions rather than think critically about them and cognitive dissonance will take over because our identities get wrapped up in the groups. In such a way, is anyone not brainwashed?

I'm not sure you are describing actual brainwashing. It sounds more like where we get our influences and attitudes from. It's true that we are all products of our environment and we often identify with particular groups that are part of our environment and are protective of them. That's a far cry from what the OP was talking about in my opinion.

[StuartJ]

Brainwashing (also known as mind control, menticide, coercive persuasion, thought control, thought reform, and re-education) is the concept that the human mind can be altered or controlled by certain psychological techniques.

Brainwashing is said to reduce its subjects ability to think critically or independently,[1] to allow the introduction of new, unwanted thoughts and ideas into the subjects mind,[2] as well as to change his or her attitudes, values, and beliefs.[3][4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainwashing

Is this an accurate description of religion ...?

Is it an accurate description of atheism?

Who is brainwashing atheists and how are they doing it?

Great question ...

Looks like that could be yet another evidence-free Christian claim.

And while Communism was atheistic, their brainwashing was that of another belief system.

And for the benefit of those who continue to promote the falsehood that Atheism is a belief system ...

Atheism is not a system ...

And certain of we Atheists do not use the word "belief" of ourselves in relation to any proposition we may assent to.

[rikuoamero]

Brainwashing (also known as mind control, menticide, coercive persuasion, thought control, thought reform, and re-education) is the concept that the human mind can be altered or controlled by certain psychological techniques.

Brainwashing is said to reduce its subjects ability to think critically or independently,[1] to allow the introduction of new, unwanted thoughts and ideas into the subjects mind,[2] as well as to change his or her attitudes, values, and beliefs.[3][4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainwashing

Is this an accurate description of religion ...?

It certainly is in the case of those who literally say that their god manipulates minds. I have encountered such people quite a few times on this site. They say things like "God prevents you from understanding" (paraphrasing) or "God hardens your heart".

[rikuoamero]

[Replying to post 2 by bjs]

Is it an accurate description of atheism?

No.

Those of us who are Atheists by intent are the LEAST likely to be brainwashed by ANY belief system: from Christianity, to Fascism, to Communism, to any group-belonging huddle of leader-worshiping sheeple.

And besides ...

We are far too fond of wallowing in our sin.

This I have to disagree with though. What you mean "those of us who are atheists by intent"? As in, strong atheists, not just those like me who lack a belief in a god or gods? How does someone being a (strong) atheist mean they are less likely to be brainwashed by a belief system?
I know of strong atheists who became communists, or who started that whole atheism+ fiasco. Heck, Thunderf00t was once a hero of mine, but I got turned off on him when he came out as a europhile.

[Clownboat]

[Replying to post 2 by bjs]

Is it an accurate description of atheism?

No.

Those of us who are Atheists by intent are the LEAST likely to be brainwashed by ANY belief system: from Christianity, to Fascism, to Communism, to any group-belonging huddle of leader-worshiping sheeple.

And besides ...

We are far too fond of wallowing in our sin.

Is this evidence of being brain washed? Complete certainty is a marker right?

Also for the record, accusing others of being brain washed, even when posed as a question is uncivil.

Personally i think we label others as brainwashed so that we dont need to challenge our own ideas. Its a control technique used on brainwashed people to prevent them from straying.

Nothing more than an attempt to level the playing field here.

There are no atheists pastors in charge of flocks that could do what you suggest.
There is no atheist speaking in tongues.
No atheist time where they must stand in worship with their arms raised to the heavens. (Boy do I remember the physical discomfort).
No instructions to give your money to some atheist leader or organization.
No orders on how to live your life.
No promises and threats about your soul and the unknown that you must accept.

When a person is truly willing to do and believe the 'silly' for a cause, being brainwashed is taking place IMO. I see religious people (myself included in the past) self brainwashing themselves by doing much of the above. Look at Muslims for example, and how they cannot mention Mohammod's name with adding PBOH. Such a requirement seems 'silly', no? Speaking in tongues seem silly at all to anyone? Human sacrifice to the god?

I know you started by saying, "personally I think"... but you did end with "It's a control technique"...

Can you show that you speak the truth and does it really compare to religions?

[Tart]

Brainwashing (also known as mind control, menticide, coercive persuasion, thought control, thought reform, and re-education) is the concept that the human mind can be altered or controlled by certain psychological techniques.

Brainwashing is said to reduce its subjects ability to think critically or independently,[1] to allow the introduction of new, unwanted thoughts and ideas into the subjects mind,[2] as well as to change his or her attitudes, values, and beliefs.[3][4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainwashing

Is this an accurate description of religion ...?

I think that is an accurate description of nonbelief...