Religion and Ethics Forum

Religion and Ethics Discussion => Theism and Atheism => Topic started by: floo on February 19, 2017, 12:01:11 PM

Title: Easily led
Post by: floo on February 19, 2017, 12:01:11 PM
Why is it that some people are easily led by people who force feed them a doctrine, however crazy? Like sheep they will follow them even if it puts their lives, and that of their loved ones, in danger. We have had some startling examples of that over the years, the dreadful Jonestown Massacre, for instance.

Islamic extremists somehow talk their adherents into following their unpleasant dogma to the death. The JWs have persuaded their conscripts that having blood transfusions is not approved of in the Bible, so even if death results because they have refused one for themselves or their families, so be it!

Many TV evangelists persuade their sycophants to fund their lavish live styles. The Benny Hinn and other 'healers' manage to convince the gullible that they have performed miracles.

The Catholic Church has managed to get away with many crimes against humanity over the centuries, The Inquisition being one of the most heinous. Other evil blots on their tainted copy book was turning a blind eye where paedophile priests are concerned, and consigning unmarried pregnant girls to homes like the Magdalene Laundries. Those girls were cruelly treated, their babies stolen when they were born, and often sold to the highest bidder! The protestant lot have nothing to be smug about either, the rabid pastors who scare folk with their hell-fire garbage if they don't get 'saved' garbage do Christianity no good at all.

If only people would realise those who preach to others, and claim to know the mind of god/s, have no more idea than the rest of us if any god exists. Matters of faith should never be accepted without thorough questioning.
Title: Re: Easily led
Post by: Free Willy on February 19, 2017, 12:41:03 PM
Why is it that some people are easily led by people who force feed them a doctrine, however crazy? Like sheep they will follow them even if it puts their lives, and that of their loved ones, in danger. We have had some startling examples of that over the years, the dreadful Jonestown Massacre, for instance.

Islamic extremists somehow talk their adherents into following their unpleasant dogma to the death. The JWs have persuaded their conscripts that having blood transfusions is not approved of in the Bible, so even if death results because they have refused one for themselves or their families, so be it!

Many TV evangelists persuade their sycophants to fund their lavish live styles. The Benny Hinn and other 'healers' manage to convince the gullible that they have performed miracles.

The Catholic Church has managed to get away with many crimes against humanity over the centuries, The Inquisition being one of the most heinous. Other evil blots on their tainted copy book was turning a blind eye where paedophile priests are concerned, and consigning unmarried pregnant girls to homes like the Magdalene Laundries. Those girls were cruelly treated, their babies stolen when they were born, and often sold to the highest bidder! The protestant lot have nothing to be smug about either, the rabid pastors who scare folk with their hell-fire garbage if they don't get 'saved' garbage do Christianity no good at all.

If only people would realise those who preach to others, and claim to know the mind of god/s, have no more idea than the rest of us if any god exists. Matters of faith should never be accepted without thorough questioning.
The only talk I've heard of knowing the mind of God has come from Steven Hawking.
Title: Re: Easily led
Post by: floo on February 19, 2017, 01:33:40 PM
The only talk I've heard of knowing the mind of God has come from Steven Hawking.

Really, strange that as you post on post on this forum.  ;D
Title: Re: Easily led
Post by: Rhiannon on February 19, 2017, 02:18:59 PM
The only talk I've heard of knowing the mind of God has come from Steven Hawking.

That's not entirely true, is it?
Title: Re: Easily led
Post by: ekim on February 19, 2017, 03:37:05 PM
Here's one possible answer... groom them when they are young ......  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-38526255
Title: Re: Easily led
Post by: Bubbles on February 20, 2017, 02:18:09 PM
Why is it that some people are easily led by people who force feed them a doctrine, however crazy? Like sheep they will follow them even if it puts their lives, and that of their loved ones, in danger. We have had some startling examples of that over the years, the dreadful Jonestown Massacre, for instance.

Islamic extremists somehow talk their adherents into following their unpleasant dogma to the death. The JWs have persuaded their conscripts that having blood transfusions is not approved of in the Bible, so even if death results because they have refused one for themselves or their families, so be it!

Many TV evangelists persuade their sycophants to fund their lavish live styles. The Benny Hinn and other 'healers' manage to convince the gullible that they have performed miracles.

The Catholic Church has managed to get away with many crimes against humanity over the centuries, The Inquisition being one of the most heinous. Other evil blots on their tainted copy book was turning a blind eye where paedophile priests are concerned, and consigning unmarried pregnant girls to homes like the Magdalene Laundries. Those girls were cruelly treated, their babies stolen when they were born, and often sold to the highest bidder! The protestant lot have nothing to be smug about either, the rabid pastors who scare folk with their hell-fire garbage if they don't get 'saved' garbage do Christianity no good at all.

If only people would realise those who preach to others, and claim to know the mind of god/s, have no more idea than the rest of us if any god exists. Matters of faith should never be accepted without thorough questioning.

I suppose upbringing has a lot to do with it, whether someone has been brought up to believe in religious authority.

I am holding a discussion elsewhere ATM, with someone who claims to KNOW about god for sure, lots of answers with regard to others beliefs.

For them, absolute certainty seems to be what they crave.

They are an Akurian, convinced they don't believe, but KNOW! They wrote this book.

http://www.theanointedtheelectandthedamned.com/aboutus.htm

If you look at it, you will see that they are looking for absolute answers.

It's very hard to discuss anything with this person, and on many levels leaves me appalled.

For example they seem to believe they have the authority to curse send people to hell, and have posted a picture of it, asking people if they know anyone in there. ( on tube).

I can only imagine to join you have to be someone who needs certainty and authority to look up to, that supplies certainty.

Oh they also believe people of mixed races have no soul, which is how we started disagreeing in the first place.

( I know some people don't think anyone has one, but it's the discrimination I was objecting too)

It stuns me sometimes, what is out there, and what people are prepared to send money too.

It seems to have a few techniques in common with Scientology.
Title: Re: Easily led
Post by: floo on February 20, 2017, 02:35:28 PM
I put this topic on another forum. Someone defended the Catholic Church and it handling of unmarried pregnant girls in those notorious Magdalene Laundries, by suggesting they were kindly giving them an alternative to abortion, YE GODS! >:(
Title: Re: Easily led
Post by: SwordOfTheSpirit on February 20, 2017, 02:52:33 PM
I put this topic on another forum. Someone defended the Catholic Church and it handling of unmarried pregnant girls in those notorious Magdalene Laundries, by suggesting they were kindly giving them an alternative to abortion, YE GODS! >:(
Evidence for your statement, in the form of a citation would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Easily led
Post by: floo on February 20, 2017, 03:13:29 PM
Evidence for your statement, in the form of a citation would be appreciated.

That is amusing coming from you who makes loads statements without providing the slightest shred of evidence. In this case you will have to take my word for it, as I can't print the post in full, of someone who doesn't as far as I am aware, post on this forum
Title: Re: Easily led
Post by: SwordOfTheSpirit on February 20, 2017, 04:08:35 PM
That is amusing coming from you who makes loads statements without providing the slightest shred of evidence.
Erm...
Quote from: Floo
In this case you will have to take my word for it, as I can't print the post in full, of someone who doesn't as far as I am aware, post on this forum
So no citations then. I think this may apply:
Quote from: Floo
That is amusing coming from you who makes loads statements without providing the slightest shred of evidence.

Moreover, if you can't print the post in full, of someone who doesn't as far as I am aware, post on this forum, why are you making claims about someone who doesn't as far as I am aware, post on this forum, especially as it appears they are not in a position to defend themselves?
Title: Re: Easily led
Post by: Nearly Sane on February 20, 2017, 04:29:21 PM
Erm...So no citations then. I think this may apply:
Moreover, if you can't print the post in full, of someone who doesn't as far as I am aware, post on this forum, why are you making claims about someone who doesn't as far as I am aware, post on this forum, especially as it appears they are not in a position to defend themselves?
because 'they' are not being accused of anything by name, which is Floo's point
Title: Re: Easily led
Post by: Gordon on February 20, 2017, 05:00:12 PM

Moreover, if you can't print the post in full, of someone who doesn't as far as I am aware, post on this forum, why are you making claims about someone who doesn't as far as I am aware, post on this forum, especially as it appears they are not in a position to defend themselves?

Well some Christians here make claims about Jesus, Paul etc - yet none of these guys can post or defend themselves here since they aren't members.
Title: Re: Easily led
Post by: floo on February 20, 2017, 05:30:24 PM
Well some Christians here make claims about Jesus, Paul etc - yet none of these guys can post or defend themselves here since they aren't members.

Jesus could be a member in disguise, for all we for all know. Some years ago he was posting on an American forum, claiming he was on his second coming, but got very offended when people didn't believe him!   ;D