Nov-30-2010, 08:43 AM (UTC)
Demons exist in the mind. If people go about searching for demons in everything around them, undoubtedly that's what they will find when they unconsciously twist the data to suit their theory.
I don't believe you can be a hypocrite for trying to make someone see reason. Even by revealing a different perspective to someone can induce a critical re-evaluation. However, you can be a hypocrite by doing the same thing such a person does: by forcing others to live the way you live as well as shutting out any alternate perspectives.
I think the only way to combat such abuse is exposure to new information. Merely having the information available and accessible, I think, is important. However, it also requires that one have an incentive and the initiative to seek it out and that may require some nudging. It is entirely up to the individual to accept or reject the information, but allowing people to continue existing in ignorance is perhaps as bad as being the one doing the brainwashing.
Of course there are people who will completely refuse to even acknowledge that there may be another perspective, even if presented with an idea. In that case I don't think it is anyone's obligation to force them to change, even if they believe it is with good intentions.
(Nov-29-2010, 09:54 AM (UTC))Mervi Wrote: But that's not really true, because there's so much brainwashing and abuse going on in many religions and religious groups that it's just difficult to stand by and watch it happen. But then I guess that makes my a hypocrite for wanting to ~save~ THEM and make them live in a way I think is good...
I don't believe you can be a hypocrite for trying to make someone see reason. Even by revealing a different perspective to someone can induce a critical re-evaluation. However, you can be a hypocrite by doing the same thing such a person does: by forcing others to live the way you live as well as shutting out any alternate perspectives.
I think the only way to combat such abuse is exposure to new information. Merely having the information available and accessible, I think, is important. However, it also requires that one have an incentive and the initiative to seek it out and that may require some nudging. It is entirely up to the individual to accept or reject the information, but allowing people to continue existing in ignorance is perhaps as bad as being the one doing the brainwashing.
Of course there are people who will completely refuse to even acknowledge that there may be another perspective, even if presented with an idea. In that case I don't think it is anyone's obligation to force them to change, even if they believe it is with good intentions.
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