Is catholic school brainwashing?

I went to catholic school and I felt like it was a rather strange experience. They make you wear a uniform. They make you go to mass. They tell you what to believe and don't encourage you to come up with your own beliefs.

Now granted, not all people will respond to this conditioning. But there were a lot of people at my school who just ate that shit up. They firmly believed that catholicism was right. There were also some people(and this was probably the majority) who didn't care that much about religion, but still beleived in the catholic version of God and heaven and hell because of what they were taught.

I'm also curious as to weather or not people who went to catholic school are still catholic. I'm not.
I messed up the poll, but it's alright.

I went to a catholic primary school, and I think that forcing beliefs on a child, who is not old enough to decide for themselves yet, is totally wrong, and yes, it is brainwashing.

Saying that, I'm a hardcore athiest, so it obviously doesn't work on everyone.

I think a much more serious problem is religious parents enforcing their religion on their children, because children look up to their parents a lot more than the authority at their school. Only 1 in 12 children stray from the religion of their parents (source: The God Delusion).

No, I didn't go.
Yes, it's brainwashing.

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Originally Posted by Pensive Patrick

I went to a catholic primary school, and I think that forcing beliefs on a child, who is not old enough to decide for themselves yet, is totally wrong, and yes, it is brainwashing.

Saying that, I'm a hardcore athiest, so it obviously doesn't work on everyone.

I think a much more serious problem is religious parents enforcing their religion on their children, because children look up to their parents a lot more than the authority at their school. Only 1 in 12 children stray from the religion of their parents (source: The God Delusion).

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I agree, Get them while their young seems to be the Catholic moto...

But also it's more then likely their parents influence.... e.g. My parents aren't practicing and don't know what to believe.... but I wen't to a catholic primary and secondary school and I'm like "Woah, slow down there I don't give a crap about mass"... I guess I'm athesist till proven wrong... which will probably never happen!

I think it's a mixture of parenting, peer presure and background... Mainly parenting though as patrick quite rightly pointed out...

My sister went to Episcopalian school kindergarten thru 8th grade, but to Catholic school for high school...maybe it would have made a difference if she went to Catholic school her whole life...all I know is I went to public school my whole life and I'm pretty sure we have similar beliefs...although she ended up getting into the cheezy contemporary religious music :shock: *facepalms*

Yes, it is brainwashing, especially as it comes at a time where people are more likely to believe in what authority figures say without question.

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Saying that, I'm a hardcore athiest, so it obviously doesn't work on everyone.

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Yet sadly many intelligent people are not immune to the grasp of indoctrination.

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Originally Posted by Photolysis

Yes, it is brainwashing, especially as it comes at a time where people are more likely to believe in what authority figures say without question.



Yet sadly many intelligent people are not immune to the grasp of indoctrination.

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To be fair, I believe the majority are less likely to believe in authority nowdays if they live in a devleloped country, for example Muslims who have migrated to the UK, their children will more then likely think more about their religion than if they were brought up in a less developed country...

There are mainly factors in people "believing" in religion, but as I said I think it's mainly parenting, peer pressure (schools, friends etc) and background (LEDC's etc)

I went to a baptist private school, not a catholic one. It sounds like the same deal though.

I know the school was extremely strict and fucked me up socially, but I don't think it was brainwashing. They were just teaching what they thought to be true under a stricter-than usual environment.

It's only brainwashing in the same way that military school is brainwashing.

I currently work in a catholic school and wouldnt say there's too much brainwashing going on.

Pupils do go to mass occasionaly, make the sign of the cross before assembly, have religiously focused trips out etc.. but they also have normal science lessons completely devoid of religion, science lessons in which they learn about natural selection, evolution, the big bang theory and the like. I also notice at least some effort being made in encouraging pupils to think for themselves. I noted pupils work up on the walls in an RE classroom some weeks back for example, in which the kids were tasked with arguing both for and against the likelihood of the resurrection story being true.
We also have many atheist teachers throughout the school, one in particular who has a classroom next to my office persists in displaying Richard Dawkins "The God Delusion" book on a shelf for all to see as they enter her classroom :D.

I may be wrong but id imagine the US would be a little more.. "hardcore".. on the religious side of things when it comes to Catholic schools, but not so much here, at least for this school.

I will add that children do tend to look up to people such as teachers in positions of authority for guidance and examples, and i can see how damaging to freedom of thought a repressive religious system would be. In fact id go so far as to say its almost criminal and constitutes child abuse as far as im concerned, schools should be more about fostering inquisitive, bright and empathetic minds who can find their own way without relying on the dusty dogma of past generations.

I agree with people on the parents thing. I mean the parents have to be the ones who pay for it and send their kids there. I just don't get why catholics baptize kids who can't speak, then tell young impressionable children that if they sin there going to hell.

Anyone who understands spirituality well enough to teach it knows you have to be at leaast in your teens to really understand any of it, in my opinion.

But I'm glad I went through catholic school. It made me think about the beliefs, which showed me how ridiculous they are. I just don't think thats the experience most people have. Sometimes I feel bad, then I think "I used to be catholic" makes me smile every time.

Yes. Further more, I consider it a new form of child abuse. They promote hate, ignorance, and censorship of ideas. I know many people who went to Catholic school. And I have come to the conclusion the Catholic School is probably the leading cause of atheism or conversion to other religions.

I am a Christian, but Catholic School is fucked up.

I went to a catholic school. Catholic elementary school, and catholic high school. And I really didn't feel too brainwashed. Sure, some teachers would have a moment of silence at the start of class, or they would pray and stuff, but it's not like they were trying to completely brainwash us. I wasn't rebellious about the religious teachings, though. I was fairly detached. It was all an exercise in memorization, so it made me good at it, and hell, I don't remember any of the religious teachings (memorization is never the right answer if you want to actually learn stuff).

I'd go into the office of our religion teacher and just talk to him about sects and stuff, since the topic interested me, and he was one of the good ones. I asked him what he thought about "hell", and you know what? He didn't say anything like the bullshit you might hear in the typical bible belt sunday schools. All in all, the experience has allowed me to think critically about it for myself, and I ended up where I am now (definitely not religious).

I hated high school for many reasons, but religious brainwashing wasn't one of them.

I went to a catholic school, but didn't even have any beliefs towards any type of gods. It didn't strike me as brainwashing only because I was capable of coming up with and forming my own beliefs and opinions. To some less intelligent kids that are easily lead - yes I'd definitely consider it brainwashing.

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Originally Posted by Replicon

I went to a catholic school. Catholic elementary school, and catholic high school. And I really didn't feel too brainwashed. Sure, some teachers would have a moment of silence at the start of class, or they would pray and stuff, but it's not like they were trying to completely brainwash us. I wasn't rebellious about the religious teachings, though. I was fairly detached. It was all an exercise in memorization, so it made me good at it, and hell, I don't remember any of the religious teachings (memorization is never the right answer if you want to actually learn stuff).

I'd go into the office of our religion teacher and just talk to him about sects and stuff, since the topic interested me, and he was one of the good ones. I asked him what he thought about "hell", and you know what? He didn't say anything like the bullshit you might hear in the typical bible belt sunday schools. All in all, the experience has allowed me to think critically about it for myself, and I ended up where I am now (definitely not religious).

I hated high school for many reasons, but religious brainwashing wasn't one of them.

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Yeah, I went to Catholic school from pre-k to Senior year in High School. I am by no means brainwashed (ofcourse, a true branwashee would not truely know). We had weekly masses, we took theology classes, I had uniforms until 8th grade and then free dress with a strict dress code. I think with all the pressures of what to wear, havin uniforms is great, it takes that whole aspect of social life out of the equation.

The educational value is much higher than public schools and from my experience Catholic/Private schools encourage a lot more thinking and discussion. In theology we discussed several topics, including Darwinism versus Adam and Eve...

There was no pressure to remain Catholic, and we were encouraged to explore other beliefs. I now consider myself more of a Buddhist :D but I am very glad I got the fundamental Catholic values instilled in me. My parents were supportive and simply wanted us to believe in something...

Maybe Catholic/Private school 40 years ago had more of a brainwashing element but so did most public schools with the whole corporal punishment factor...

I also think you can't really have much of a educated opinion on this matter unless you are very familar with the Catholic education system....

:boogie: for Seattle

I went to catholic school. They have a standardized curriculum like every other school and teach evolution, physics, chemistry, math etc. No it is not brainwashing. Only difference is that you needed a few 'religion credits' which you got by going to religion class. Grade 9 they mostly teach Catholicism, grade 10 is all about world religions, and grade 11 and 12 is basically a philosophy class. There was also a school mass once a month, but you got to miss some class so it was all good.

I went to public, remained christian

everyone I know who went to catholic school, came out atheist. so...I wouldn't say brainwashing or no one would have come out atheist, but definitely the experience must have been sour

ive also been told it makes homosexuals :D

I don't care whether it's brainwashing or not, it's still Catholic and religious schooling to some degree.

There's a Catholic school on the way to my own which we drive past. If I had it me own way I'd smash the windows in and spread faecal matter all over the walls.

Catholicism is probably the worst mainstream religion bar Islam.

There are no catholic schools here. :banana: We barely have catholics at all. :banana:

There are no religion schools here, however, we have theology in all schools. It's completely optional and you don't get grades from it. However, it's one of the most interesting classes, if you have the right professor that is.

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Originally Posted by Idolfan

I don't care whether it's brainwashing or not, it's still Catholic and religious schooling to some degree.

There's a Catholic school on the way to my own which we drive past. If I had it me own way I'd smash the windows in and spread faecal matter all over the walls.

Catholicism is probably the worst mainstream religion bar Islam.

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Pretty violent thoughts you got there about Catholicism.... Can you enlighten us a little more as to why you feel this way about Catholic Schools?

I really hope you never act out that threat, these schools are not state funded, they are a non profit private organization that get money from donors and attendees, it would be very expensive for them to clean your mess. Typing out random threats with no back up defeats the whole purpose of posting anything..... :shakehead2:

I went to a Catholic school!
It was terrible.
The way they tried to indoctrinate us was disgusting.

I recommend it for anyone who wants their kid to grow up to be a close minded prick.

A lot of people seem to have an irrational distrust for Catholicism on this forum. I lived as a catholic for the better part of my life, and I personally think I'm a better person because of it. Perhaps I got lucky and found the one Catholic school that wasn't a brainwashing facility...

I find it funny that the people who didn't go to Catholic school seem to have the strongest opinions. 21 votes and counting for "I didn't go to Catholic School, but yes it is brainwashing." And I haven't seen anyone post a strong argument for it.

Yah I laughed out loud when I saw that 62% didn't go to catholic school but thought "yes it is brainwashing" lol

I guess ignorance is truely bliss for some :roll:

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Originally Posted by grasshoppa

A lot of people seem to have an irrational distrust for Catholicism on this forum. I lived as a catholic for the better part of my life, and I personally think I'm a better person because of it. Perhaps I got lucky and found the one Catholic school that wasn't a brainwashing facility...

I find it funny that the people who didn't go to Catholic school seem to have the strongest opinions. 21 votes and counting for "I didn't go to Catholic School, but yes it is brainwashing." And I haven't seen anyone post a strong argument for it.

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I am guessing I have the strongest anti-catholic school opinion, and I went to catholic school.

Teaching a young child a religion is brainwashing. They do not have the capacity to fully understand the concept religion and the do not have the knowledge of other religions and philosophies to compare to what they are being taught. Young children do not have the capacity for complex thinking and religion is a complex subject.

Is that a strong enough argument for you?

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Originally Posted by plg6067

I am guessing I have the strongest anti-catholic school opinion, and I went to catholic school.

Teaching a young child a religion is brainwashing. They do not have the capacity to fully understand the concept religion and the do not have the knowledge of other religions and philosophies to compare to what they are being taught. Young children do not have the capacity for complex thinking and religion is a complex subject.

Is that a strong enough argument for you?

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An argument, yes, a strong one, no. Define what you exactly mean by "complex"? Catholicism teaches the basic principals of love, kindness to others, fairness, compassion, not to steal, not to swear etc... They teach small children in the form of story books with animals as characters.

Perhaps love and kindess are to complex for some to understand....

Society itself is it's own "brainwashing" machine, telling people to get a job, go to school, don't steal, don't cheat, don't swear, drinking is bad, smoking is bad, stop on red, go on green..... eerily the same to what Catholicism calls for it's practicioners wouldn't you say?

I am intersted in hearing a valid example or argument which makes a direct link to how someone who went to Catholic school became brainwashed because of it.

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Originally Posted by dreamingofdreaming

An argument, yes, a strong one, no. Define what you exactly mean by "complex"? Catholicism teaches the basic principals of love, kindness to others, fairness, compassion, not to steal, not to swear etc... They teach small children in the form of story books with animals as characters.

Perhaps love and kindess are to complex for some to understand....

Society itself is it's own "brainwashing" machine, telling people to get a job, go to school, don't steal, don't cheat, don't swear, drinking is bad, smoking is bad, stop on red, go on green..... eerily the same to what Catholicism calls for it's practicioners wouldn't you say?

I am intersted in hearing a valid example or argument which makes a direct link to how someone who went to Catholic school became brainwashed because of it.

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I am talking about god, afterlife, son of god on earth, prayer, heaven and hell.
Sure, you can talk about these things in kiddie terms, but that does not make them simple subjects.

These are not subjects that should be dumbed down and spouted to our developing minds.


Religion class did not just teach me about being a good boy... Jesus died for our sins and shit like that is what shouldn't be taught to a kid. They need to decide they believe that for themselves when they are older.

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Originally Posted by plg6067

I am talking about god, afterlife, son of god on earth, prayer, heaven and hell.
Sure, you can talk about these things in kiddie terms, but that does not make them simple subjects.

These are not subjects that should be dumbed down and spouted to our developing minds.


Religion class did not just teach me about being a good boy... Jesus died for our sins and shit like that is what shouldn't be taught to a kid. They need to decide they believe that for themselves when they are older.

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Well, I see your point, but, I just disagree :P

I do not think those concepts are too complex or should be restrained from being taught to children. Thats like saying that, the pledge of allegience, our government structure, foreign languages, astronomy, science etc... are too complex to teach children.

Perhaps you happened to go to a very strict and forceful Catholic School, I can't argue with you there. However, having grown up in the Catholic education system and known several friends/peers who have gone to different Catholic schools, it is clear to me that none of us experienced any kind of forced learning or "brainwashing" to believe in one and only one thing. Like I mentioned earlier, we would have Theology classes, it was in these classes that ALL religions were discussed. Yes, obviously, Catholicism was pushed, but not forced.

Really, the only differences between public schools and Catholic schools is that C schools have more of a focus on a certain range of beliefs. Theology classes are added to the curriculum (instead of shop/cooking/sewing) Masses are held once a month, and some C schools have uniforms. Everything else, sports, dances, prom, pep rallies, track meets, science contests, art shows, plays, science (including Darwinism) etc... are all the same

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Originally Posted by dreamingofdreaming

Well, I see your point, but, I just disagree :P

I do not think those concepts are too complex or should be restrained from being taught to children. Thats like saying that, the pledge of allegience, our government structure, foreign languages, astronomy, science etc... are too complex to teach children.

Perhaps you happened to go to a very strict and forceful Catholic School, I can't argue with you there. However, having grown up in the Catholic education system and known several friends/peers who have gone to different Catholic schools, it is clear to me that none of us experienced any kind of forced learning or "brainwashing" to believe in one and only one thing. Like I mentioned earlier, we would have Theology classes, it was in these classes that ALL religions were discussed. Yes, obviously, Catholicism was pushed, but not forced.

Really, the only differences between public schools and Catholic schools is that C schools have more of a focus on a certain range of beliefs. Theology classes are added to the curriculum (instead of shop/cooking/sewing) Masses are held once a month, and some C schools have uniforms. Everything else, sports, dances, prom, pep rallies, track meets, science contests, art shows, plays, science (including Darwinism) etc... are all the same

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Yeah I see what you are saying.. If my school had a theology class instead of just a Christian only class then I would not have minded so much. Also science, astronomy, government structure and languages are not so subject. I dont like that we are taught and made to say the pledge of allegiance either but dont want to get to that.

"Everything else, sports, dances, prom, pep rallies, track meets, science contests, art shows, plays, science (including Darwinism) etc... are all the same" not at all catholic schools... I don't go to catholic high school though, so I don't know how our local catholic school is like...

I spent four summers during college getting to know the school systems, public and private, in eight or ten different cities in Delaware, Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama, by talking to a thousand or so families in each community.

My experience of Catholic schools is, in the North where most people send their kids to public schools, Catholic schools are mostly attended by Catholic kids and the religious/cultural side is more pronounced. Maybe, together with family life, it constitutes a degree of brainwashing, though a lot of the adults I know who went to Catholic school are kind of "ethnically Catholic" in the way most American Jews are ethnically Jewish--it's more a cultural identity and set of traditions that they accept than a religion that they believe in.

In the South, however, where nearly all white kids and middle-class or higher nonwhite kids in a lot of communities go to private schools, Catholic schools are often among the least expensive and best-reputed options. They tend to be the most diverse (often the only remotely diverse) private schools, attracting many non-Catholic students, and the most open-minded religious schools, compared to their evangelical counterparts.

I wouldn't be surprised if most Catholic schools generate more skepticism toward religion than the public schools, where the topic is taboo, and so more skepticism in general at a younger age. They tend to have solid reputations, academically.

I went to catholic school for Kindergarten and first grade.
I thought it was pretty liberal as far as catholic schools go.

we didnt have uniforms or tests. we discussed the bible and shit but it wasnt crammed down our thoughts.

I actually have some pretty good childhood memories from there :)

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Originally Posted by Matt5678

I went to catholic school for Kindergarten and first grade.

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Shit man... you alright? :(

I doubt there is anymore brainwashing going on at a catholic school than a normal public school. Though perhaps that is open to debate. I am sure you wouldn't want to go if you were a different religion but there is nothing wrong with a catholic school if your catholic. Its kind of like going to church every week. Going to church normally isn't considered being brainwashed.

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Originally Posted by Alric

I doubt there is anymore brainwashing going on at a catholic school than a normal public school. Though perhaps that is open to debate. I am sure you wouldn't want to go if you were a different religion but there is nothing wrong with a catholic school if your catholic. Its kind of like going to church every week. Going to church normally isn't considered being brainwashed.

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Actually, plenty of non-Catholics go to Catholic schools, simply because they're good schools.

That is true as well. I personally wouldn't mind having to listen to the religious stuff, if it meant a far better education.

Going to church every week may not be brainwash, but think about this: went to Catholic school from k-12 grade. I have at least 100 different phrases and songs stuck in my head pertaining to spirituality. True it didn't keep me catholic, but I've always questioned things and though about things way too much.

I didn't really mean brainwash like Clockwork Orange or something. I was just thinking of how this is just one more way people get stuck with their families religion, rather than thinking for themselves. Because of this most people never really end up with much spiritual understanding. I'm not saying that you have to change your beliefs just to be different, but you have to think about them and decide for yourself if they make sense to you.

Sorry if this makes no sense, I am very high.

Perhaps what you should ask yourself is whether Catholic brainwashing is educational.

All religions push faith on children. It is brainwashing, but there isn't much you can do about it.

Well that happens regardless. If I tell you an opinion and you just believe it, that isn't brainwashing. If you think it is, you might as well say no one should ever teach people anything.

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Originally Posted by Alric

Well that happens regardless. If I tell you an opinion and you just believe it, that isn't brainwashing. If you think it is, you might as well say no one should ever teach people anything.

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One is taught by showing an example, the other is taught by pretending an example exists somewhere but you wont see it until you die.

I answered "B"

Although I didn't go to catholic schools... I went to Christian schools.

Yeah, I went to one, one guy got a detention for writing an essay on why God shouldn't exist :P
I mean it depends on the school, but on general I find that my school was COMPLETELY catholic, but thankfully that was also one of it's flaws.
Because it was so ridiculously Catholic, the moment I started questioning anything the whole thread unravelled and I saw how ridiculous religion is, I'm atheist because I went to a Catholic school, :D

Forcing / Teaching a child about religion is corruption of a minor.

But its okay since religions runs / rules everyone.

Gotta love that more than half the poll is in the "I don't know what I'm talking about, but it's bad, mmmkay?" crowd. You people understand that the Church more or less invented primary education as we know it?

I never went, but one of my brothers did. If it is brainwashing they are doing a very poor job of it since seems like a lot of the anti religious people I know went to catholic school

I think I've found the answer.

I went to a catholic school and it is definitely brainwashing. We had "Religion" class which was the most bogus thing in the world. The only religion we learned about was Catholicism and any other views were completely shot down.

I went to a Christian school, and it wasn't that bad. We had in-school church every Wednesday, and aside from that, the only difference was better morals than most schools. No uniforms, and most classes had nothing to do with God, or Christianity. I was raised to be religious, but I seem to be drifting from my beliefs. I still believe in some sort of higher power, I just refuse to believe traditional Creationism that is tought to children. Some schools are a lot more serious about it I suppose, and maybe my lackluster Christian education is the reason why I'm not very religious at all. That, and I left and went to public school in the 5th grade.

I don't agree with what they're doing, trying to force kids to believe in their teachings instead of letting them decide for themselves. If there weren't extremist ones like the ones I hate, and most people hate, this wouldn't really be a problem.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

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Originally Posted by Taosaur

Gotta love that more than half the poll is in the "I don't know what I'm talking about, but it's bad, mmmkay?" crowd. You people understand that the Church more or less invented primary education as we know it?

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Taosaur, I don't know how you do it but I'm always quoting you for truth.

EDIT: Apparently, I suck at reading.

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Originally Posted by Demon Parasite

Why is there no option for "I went, but it's not brainwashing" on the poll?

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?

/me points to the attachment

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Originally Posted by no-name

?

/me points to the attachment

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Wow, I read it incorrectly. I feel stupid now, heh.

spent four years at catholic high school..it was one big party (at graduation kids were handing out lsd in parking lot) dont know about brainwashing..was too high to remember

I didn't go to a Catholic school, but I feel I have some level of understanding surrounding this.
I won't answer the poll, because my answer is a bit split.
Before I say anything, let me just say that I mean no disrespect to any Catholics. The following is only speculation.


On one hand, I firmly believe that the Catholic schools have no intention of brainwashing, at all.


On the other hand, Catholicism itself, somehow in its creation and evolution over time, has caused the practice to turn into something like brainwashing.
Check out https://www.alternet.org/belief/50-r...atholic-church

In my opinion, Christianity is vastly misunderstood, even by those practicing it. The reason being, it's not taught properly. People develop a dependency on the word of a priest or a book, which is often either said wrongly, or misunderstood.
You can talk to God any time you want, and if you just open yourself up enough, you can hear/feel the answer. It's not difficult. But they don't teach that, as far as I'm aware.
Christianity (especially Catholicism, probably) is a cataclysm of misunderstanding and fear-based thinking. That's where the brainwashing comes in.

Some say that the brainwashing is actually deliberate. Some claim that dark forces are controlling Christianity (and some other religions).
The dark forces that control the world WANT us all to be in a constant state of fear.
Some will say that those dark forces are the Illuminati. Some will say it's the Annunaki. Some say the Reptilians. Some say they are all connected.

And I'm putting a great big target on my head by saying these things. So if this is the last you hear of me, you'll know what happened. xD

Please forgive my controversial discussion here! If you can't handle it, look away!


About the Annunaki, I've only just been pointed towards information about them. But I am actually staggered by how hidden the information is. It's not taught in schools or anything, but the info is there, available to us all. But *they* don't want us to look at it.
If you want to know about the Annunaki, look up "Ancient Sumer", it's mindblowing.

But there is an interesting thing about it which I'll mention here.

There are a lot of similarities between the creation story in The Bible, to the creation story in Sumerian ancient texts (even older than The Bible).
I'll sum it up by saying, as per the Sumerian texts, the Annunaki are the Gods (highly evolved alien race) which created the human race by taking Neanderthal DNA and mixing it with their own, and thus creating humans in their own image.
The Annunaki created us as primitive workers to mine gold for them.

The Annunaki now fear us because, well, they didn't expect us to grow so rapidly, and now we've got humans ascending into Godhood and the world is now covered in "Lightworkers". We are now a threat to them.

But my point is, Christians may be unknowingly devoted to a being, (Enki I think, the ruler of the Annunaki), which only wants to control us and does NOT have our best interests at heart.


HOWEVER, The Bible is written in such a way that it sounds like it's referring to the God of all things. Which means, there's nothing wrong with practicing it, so long as it's taken with a pinch of salt.
Personally I think The Bible is full of great wisdoms. But I also think there's a hidden dark side to it.

And by the way I don't want people to just believe me. You can look this up yourself and decide for yourself.
It really is just my own speculation. I don't know the actual truth, obviously.

I like too think that the world is like a computer, and religion/s are like antivirus programs. They have served a purpose for people but its definetly time for a update. Imagine in the old days when it was ok too have sex with animals and weird stuff imagine what kind of weird dieseases could have been created. I also think its very obvious the world is alot older then we understand, but humans have terrible memories, and trying to explain to them world history for the last 50000000 years would probably just confuse us, maybe somebody decided lets just keep information too the minimum off what is relevant too humans purpose, and now that humans are starting too have a better understanding new information is starting too come back. What would a person do with this information 1700 when half of everyone was dying of the plague etc.

easier too brain wash when on drugs hahah

I wouldn't call i brainwashing. That term has too many associations.

The adults in any culture and society have a desire to shape direction in which the youth grow. But that is to help young really... Brainwashing sounds malicious. They aren't trying to fuck you... (insert catholic pedofilia joke)

It's easy to think religion is malicious. Look at the spanish inquisition.... But the priests who decided to burn and kill all those people thought they were saving them from eternal burning in the flames of hell. It was bad, but the intention wasn't...

Now you might say a big part of a religion becoming succesful depends on it's ability to indoctrinate across generations. And so Catholicism is probably a powerful tool in directing the minds of parents and children... A brainwashing system.... But whatever man... If you can't think for your self and learn how to become your own master then, it doesn't matter if you "escape" religion. Your will and mind will still be controlled by another stronger mind belonging to someone else, you'll adapt and recite other people's ideas without understanding where they really come from and you'll to be thinking somebody elses thoughts. Lots of people spend alot of energy to tell you religion is bad, but most of them are just indoctrinated by something else. Out of the frying pan into the fire. At least catholicism gives you a solid moral system, so maybe you won't be too much of a negative influence in the world.

Think for yourself and you'll be fine wherever you are. And if you don't like it, you'll have the power to go somewhere else.

Good answer oneiro.

To counter my previous posts, I wanna say that I think Christianity, on a whole, is actually beautiful.


EDIT: Oh, yeah nice post too, LighrkVader.

I'm just jumping in here to say that I went to a Christian school (not Catholic) and yes it's brainwashing in a way. They definitely did their best to force some pseudoscience nonsense and grind that scripture down my throat everyday. I am best described as Atheist (mostly disbelieve the idea of a personal intelligent god because anything spiritual is all energy and nothing more) today and I'd never make any of my children go though any of that. Religion can indeed be a beautiful thing and I love various religious texts that I apply to my life but it gets dark when people use it to control others with guilt and shame.

Edit: And Slash it's very possible that if aliens visited ancient Earth they would think of them as gods. It would explain a lot of thing but we are lacking any real evidence. If you think about it every god in every religion actual is an alien. Alien could just be an updated word for god. Of course we don't even know if aliens exist for certain.

Well, the Annunaki are a type of "God" which is basically a highly evolved creature (not to be confused with the highest God, which is basically just everything in existence). They apparently live in the 4th dimension (on planet Niburu, aka Planet X).
Then you've got the good guys, like the Pleiadians who I think live in the 5th dimension and higher.
But these aliens, they have a lot of power. Hence the "God" nametag.

Sure, there's no definitive proof out there, only evidence that sorta implies such things.
But Earth is apparently in "quarantine" right now. The universe is watching us, waiting for us to reach the point when we're ready for direct contact again.
Many say that we're nearly there. I hope to live long enough to see it happen.

Of course I know it could all be bullshit. Some claim to know the actual truth, due to their clairvoyant abilities. But I don't have that. Not yet anyway.
I'm just open to the possibility that all these people could be telling the truth.

Sorry for taking over the thread with alien talk. xD

I don't think its that complicated, if your in environment taught by nuns half of the day..yes, it's inevitable one of the staff may push religion on you (in my case no one was really persistent about it) anyway had it worse at public elementary school ( texas, early 80's) the teachers all had their own wooden paddles!..dont see that anymore