The Thing About Religion

[Geezer]

The thing about religion is that, ultimately, participation is voluntary. That is not to deny that religion uses, maybe even depends, on coersion to accomplish their goals, but they cannot keep anyone from walking out the door.

 

Coersion definitely plays a big role in religion, but they cannot force anyone to be a member or to believe their dogma. And they sure can't force anyone to attend their services. 

 

And members that don't like the rules and traditions of the church they attend are free to find a different version of Christianity if they want. It's not like there isn't a multitude of different versions of Christianity to choose from. 

 

I participate on a Christian site too,  and have noted some folks saying they just can't leave. Really, do they have armed guards at the door preventing you from leaving?  Leaving religion may be emotionally difficult but no one can force you to stay.

 

Coercison is where religion gets it's power along with their ability to indoctrinate, which is coersion in another form.  

 

[1989]

Baby elephants are locked in heavy chains so that they can't escape.  As they get older, that conditioning allows trainers and others to simply tie a rope around the adult's ankle and it won't even try to escape.  Why?  Because it's been conditioned to believe it can't.  Chains can exist in the mind, and they're just as powerful if not more so than any physical impediment.

[Geezer]

3 hours ago, 1989 said:

  Chains can exist in the mind, and they're just as powerful if not more so than any physical impediment.

 

That is sad, but very true. Religion is a prison without locks.