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.htmIf 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.
