I had an interesting realization yesterday that made me question the ethics of my outspoken atheism. I live and have lived with people who have a history of extensive drug and alcohol abuse, violence, prison, and broken relationships. The substance abuse rehab that I attended was full of people that had these kind of issues. Teen Challenge (unfortunately named, BTW, since it was for adults) espouses the dubious claim that they are "the proven cure for the drug epidemic" claiming an 85% success rate. The entire program consisted of a year long indoctrination of daily bible reading, bible classes, church, homework assignments, tests, and work "unto the Lord" (meaning, no pay). It was a "Jesus saves" school to basically become a bible-learned born again Christian. So I know all about indoctrination and brainwashing. It just didn't work on me.
I currently live with a person who had spent time in prison, and was a former drug and alcohol abuser who reads the Bible morning and night. This person is in her 50s and is about as ignorant as a post. I avoid making waves by just being quiet, because all of her thought processes and decision-making revolves around prayer, and belief in demons. I know many people who are like this (brainwashed, extremely gullible, paranoid, and prone to violence), and find it is wise to simply let people dwell in their delusion. I honestly think if some believers became disenthralled with their beliefs, internal chaos would ensue, resulting in a relapse of further antisocial behavior.
For those of you Trekkies out there: Remember the 2-part Star Trek episode called "The Menagerie?" Captain Pike had become disabled, had no use of his limbs, and incapable of speech. Spock took him back to the planet of the pilot episode on which the aliens of the world allowed Pike to live a normal life as a fully functional man living a normal life with a beautiful woman. But it was all in his head.
Many disfunctional people live in society seemingly able to function ONLY because of a belief in a "higher power" or whatever works for them. I know many people that are just hanging on because of their delusion, hence the equivocal claim that Christian rehabs are "the answer." So, is it responsible to try to convince people that they are delusional? Or, is it responsible to live and let live? The only problem I have with the live and let live idea is that there are people in authority with the delusion that make decisions for all of us, and others with the delusion lend votes and power to their name.
I currently live with a person who had spent time in prison, and was a former drug and alcohol abuser who reads the Bible morning and night. This person is in her 50s and is about as ignorant as a post. I avoid making waves by just being quiet, because all of her thought processes and decision-making revolves around prayer, and belief in demons. I know many people who are like this (brainwashed, extremely gullible, paranoid, and prone to violence), and find it is wise to simply let people dwell in their delusion. I honestly think if some believers became disenthralled with their beliefs, internal chaos would ensue, resulting in a relapse of further antisocial behavior.
For those of you Trekkies out there: Remember the 2-part Star Trek episode called "The Menagerie?" Captain Pike had become disabled, had no use of his limbs, and incapable of speech. Spock took him back to the planet of the pilot episode on which the aliens of the world allowed Pike to live a normal life as a fully functional man living a normal life with a beautiful woman. But it was all in his head.
Many disfunctional people live in society seemingly able to function ONLY because of a belief in a "higher power" or whatever works for them. I know many people that are just hanging on because of their delusion, hence the equivocal claim that Christian rehabs are "the answer." So, is it responsible to try to convince people that they are delusional? Or, is it responsible to live and let live? The only problem I have with the live and let live idea is that there are people in authority with the delusion that make decisions for all of us, and others with the delusion lend votes and power to their name.
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