Are religions mind control?

[Elok]

Originally posted by Pekka
Shrapnel, that's because it is not an attack against religion. Since when is questioning an attack? It's a very valid and legit question.

Are Finns racially inferior? No, I'm not attacking Finns, but given the heavy drinking and the unnatural fondness for being boiled alive in saunas, it's perfectly valid to wonder if maybe you guys are a few steps behind the rest of the world in terms of evolution. Just wondering.

[Wezil]

Not to mention the constant nakedness.

[Kidlicious]

It's not mind control to make someone believe what they want to believe. It's just a con.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Shrapnel12
Here's a system that history has proven beyond doubt to be wrong, yet people still hold desparately to its tenets.

Failed in what way?

[Krill]

Thought control yes, mind control no.

[Straybow]

Originally posted by Wezil

Originally posted by Shrapnel12
Oops, there it is, but I was responding to post #24. I'll answer that question too though. No, I don't need evidence of your beliefs. As for do I have any evidence? Nope. Faith is all that's required. (again speaking from a believer pov).

Which is where the debate ends b/c faith requires no evidence. I deal in the real world.

Both wrong. Faith is not response to evidence that is externally validated.

For example, when Saul was on the way to Damascus to persecute Christians there the Lord appeared in a bright light and spoke. However, the others around him didn't hear distinct words nor see anything in the light.

His conversion didn't hinge on being able to prove to them what he saw and heard. However, what he heard included instructions to seek out a particular person in a particular place, of whom there is no indication that Saul or anyone else in the party had any prior knowledge.

By finding this person at the location specified, who did what Saul's vision said he would do, this provided evidence that the event was not delusional.

[Straybow]

Originally posted by Pekka
So all the mass suicides etc never happened?

If religion were defined be mass suicide there would be very few religious people.

You don't have to become a robot to label it mind control. People go to churches, they pray, they do all kinds of things. If God doesn't exist, that looks awfully silly. It's the same thing if they think they want to do those things. It's more effective that way. If your emotions, decision making etc can be based on a lie, something that was manufactured and made up by men, I would call it mind control, absolutely. People martyr themselves, kill others, themselves, all kinds of things, but it doesn't mean it has to be violent in order to be mind control. Indoctrination is what religions are all about. So if they are false........ it makes no difference if people want to do things. Because they're all based on a lie. Propaganda.

Unless it is true. Next.

[Wezil]

Originally posted by Straybow

For example, when Saul was on the way to Damascus to persecute Christians there the Lord appeared in a bright light and spoke. However, the others around him didn't hear distinct words nor see anything in the light.

His conversion didn't hinge on being able to prove to them what he saw and heard. However, what he heard included instructions to seek out a particular person in a particular place, of whom there is no indication that Saul or anyone else in the party had any prior knowledge.

By finding this person at the location specified, who did what Saul's vision said he would do, this provided evidence that the event was not delusional.

Or maybe Saul was a nutter?

[CivGeneral]

No, religions dont mind control people. People mind control people.

[Berzerker]

If religion were defined be mass suicide there would be very few religious people.

[Straybow]

Originally posted by Wezil
Or maybe Saul was a nutter?

You should read what you quote:

By finding this person at the location specified, who did what Saul's vision said he would do, this provided evidence that the event was not delusional.