How and Why Religions Control People
by Before you buy into any religion, ask yourself, are they selling you something, or are they trying to buy you?
The fifth, and most hideous, form of manipulation is encouraging people to reproduce. This is done because religious leaders know it is much easier to have a person born into a religion, than to covert one to it. It is hideous because the world is not at a point where it needs more people, rather the opposite is generally held to be true by scientists and the United Nations council. Parents, innocently enough, start brainwashing their children into a given religion, they don’t even know they are doing it.
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Why?
Why do religions want more people? This is especially curious of some religions who believe that only a select number of people will be taken to “heaven” but continue to try to covert others. For example Jehovah’s Witnesses believe only 144,000 people will be swept up to heaven, but their membership is in the millions and they still try to recruit more. Perhaps the reason is something beyond the fact that the religion wants to “save” people…. but perhaps because it wants more power, more members, more control, more money.
Many religions have control over how their people act, to the point that some even influence their followers political choices. This is really frightening and has been suspected to be the major driving force not only in who gets voted for, or against, on reality TV shows, such as American Idol, but in major political elections, as when Bush was re-elected in 2004. If you control the people, you can control the world, or at least your tiny part of it.
Additionally more people means more money. Not only does a church with more members get more money from its people, but also from the government in the form of grants, charity applications, and tax free status. Although in theory, in most religions greed is wrong, the greed of the church seems to be acceptable.
So… before you fall blindly for any religion promising you eternal salvation, check the fine print.
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Post Commentken bultman
On July 2, 2009 at 6:24 am
Well thought out and written article. I agree will all premises presented.
Daisy Peasblossom
On July 2, 2009 at 8:56 am
I’ve always been in favor of informed faith. Hence, I’m pretty sure that there is Something that holds it all together–the Cosmos has so many interactive patterns, it seems beyond coincidence. However, I don’t put faith in any mortal being, living or dead, to be able to decide right or wrong for me. Having said that, I am the product of my mother’s and grandmother’s firm and systematic “brainwashing”. Things like, “Don’t hit your younger cousins; if you can’t clean the whole house, sweep the floor and wash the dishes; animals and small children first; don’t kill anything unless you plan to eat it; don’t eat your own species; don’t put more on your plate than you plan to eat. The list could go on quite a while–raising kids is necessarily brainwashing. Small humans are not born civilized. Religions tend to be parental in approach. I figure I got parented plenty–now I have to raise myself.
PR Mace
On July 2, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I have seen this in many churches and with my husband retired Navy we have gone to many churches. Loving God should be a joy and something you want to do , not something you are forced to do.
Ruby Hawk
On July 2, 2009 at 8:55 pm
B,I agree with you entirely. Religions and churches have too much influence in our society. They have too much power in politics and they take in too much money and pay no taxes. I don’t blame the people who have been led to believe the religious mumbo jumbo.It’s brain washing pure and simple. I have no use for religion but I do believe our universe and everything was created by some sort of intelligence and there is a reason and plan that will be discovered someday far in the future when we have the intelligence to understand. I believe we are no more than an insect struggleing to understand the universe. But struggle we must and not be led by pretenders.
postpunkpixie
On July 3, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Organised religion is a dangerous and frightening thing. As usual, I agree with you, especially after watching Jesus Camp (painful viewing or what?). I’ve thought for a long time that spirtuality and personal experience is a lot more important than old books and priests.
Conner Good
On July 5, 2009 at 8:20 pm
VERY interesting article…throught-provoking…
Linley Clark
On July 7, 2009 at 6:09 am
An article that persuades other people.. a person who doesn’t strongly believe in his religion may easily be provoked by this..
everything you have written is all about your opinion..
but for me religion does not control you.
First of all, haven’t you seen a BIBLE before? My friend, no one is forced to join any religion especially if it is against that person’s will.
Brainwashing? Oh no, truly a NO. In my religion, brainwashing is not applied. maybe to some religions yes.. but writing the people are born into sin is plain wrong.
I can only give you an advice, listen well..
Seek the TRUTH that will calm you and give you a peace of mind.
Mark Gordon Brown
On July 7, 2009 at 9:05 am
Well, I can honestly say Brainwashing definately takes place big time in Christianity, especially the fundimental forms of it.
I have not seen ONE religion where people do not try to influence their childrens choices through early brainwashing/programming. I was born into it and later saw through it. For a time I even partook in it myself (I taught Sunday School).
I have not seen one parent NOT try to influence their childs religious decision.
Jesus Camp is an awesome movie!
Allison West
On July 17, 2009 at 4:40 pm
This is a great article, so intelligent with wonderful insights. I’m pondering religions vs. spirituality at this point in my life, so this was helpful for me, thanks for writing this.
Joseph Petro
On December 14, 2009 at 9:51 am
Incredible article. You not only know it does so but you understand why with facts. Any one who does not agree with this piece is clearly posessed.
“My friend, no one is forced to join any religion especially if it is against that person’s will.’ Use common sense. Religuous people raise their kids which forces them to be brain washed in lies while growing up. The mind has the full capability to decide what it wants but not if it was grown to do so.
Faith is making a blind devotion out of not thinking.
Watch Religulous by Bill Maher.