Conflating Religion with Conformity

[JackVk]

One idea that gets under my skin, often used as a rhetorical device by secularists, is that theists/religious people do not think for themselves and blindly follow authority. This is the opinion of many atheists and agnostics, such as H.P. Lovecraft and Ayn Rand. They give the impression that religion is anathema to independent thought.

I find such a claim not only wrong, but insulting. I was technically raised Catholic, but my family never prayed together or went to Mass consistently. I only went to confession twice in my life before I was eighteen. I came back to the Catholic Church of my own accord, and I’m the only active Catholic in my family. In other words, I wouldn’t be an active Catholic if I did not think for myself. To say I’m just a sheep because I’m religious would be intellectually dishonest.

Second, being a disciple of Christ (not just a nominal Christian) is arguably as anti-conformist is one could be. Jesus clearly and unambiguously says that “you will be hated by all because of My name”. Following the commands of Christ is radical. It is supposed to upset the apple cart. It is supposed to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

“Break the conventions; keep the Commandments” -Chesterton

 

[Bonnie]

“Break the conventions; keep the Commandments” -Chesterton

We used to have a priest who would say that to be a good Catholic we have to be counter-cultural.

 

[Sgk904]

We used to have a priest who would say that to be a good Catholic we have to be counter-cultural.

I feel like that’s a bit off-center because being catholic used to be extremely widespread, and made up a good part of the American culture; “God bless America”, ect, ect… It’s not really counter-culture at all. But more people do see the stereotype of catholic who blindly follows authority. This is a bad rep given by religious fanatics.

 

[robertkchacon]

Ironically, that sentiment is exactly what some atheists are - non critical thinking drones who simply regurgitate the “party” line just as much as any non thinking religious! Both sides are guilty of it, but its primarily the “free thinking” atheists who like to spout this criticism toward religious.

 

[schaeffer]

We need a level of conformity to function. Traffic rules, grammar, language, mathematical system. That doesn’t make us drones.

As a philosophical idea individualism is lots of fun…but in reality…no man is an island.

Try that unconformity on the job etc.lol

not a darn things to be ashamed of when using a map, GPS…or religion, unless one uses it to excuse bad behavior. But that is true of everything.

 

[DrTaffy]

Both sides are guilty of it, but its primarily the “free thinking” atheists who like to spout this criticism toward religious.

…he said, while ‘spouting’ this criticism towards atheists!