Am I Indoctrinated?
My Response to an All-Too-Common Fallback
I was wrong.
In at least three other arguments, I faced the same old challenge, usually from Jack. Each time, I was careful to counter the argument to the best of my abilities. Unfortunately, a superior argument only works when you are dealing with someone who recognizes their own defeat. Jack is not such a person. Since comments are not enough to prove the legitimacy of my beliefs, I have now decided that the only solution is to tear down Jack's favorite argument in an article.
The idea that I am indoctrinated demands that I did not have the same beliefs when I first came to Bradshaw as I do now. This is true; score one for Jack. However, I did consider myself a Christian, I simply did not take my faith very seriously. As I became immersed in an environment where Christianity is constantly discussed--both by the teachers, my friends, and those who did not agree with the school--I was faced with the choice of either turning away from Christianity all-together, or taking it seriously as the one true faith. I chose the latter; score one for me. Since then, I have delved ever deeper into my faith, forming my own conclusions and opinions about my beliefs. I have listened to the beliefs and ideas of my friends and some of my teachers concerning Godand considered the value of all they have had to say. This does not mean that I have been somehow brainwashed because when it comes down to it, many of these ideas are concepts that have been built upon by various theological thinkers and I would be a fool to try and gain a full understanding of the Bible on my own. At the same time, I haved judged these ideas based on my own reasoning abilities. Score one more for me.
Interestingly, what have most drawn me to God are the very same articles that I have argued against so much. I would probably be perfectly content to keep my faith quiet and let the world walk right over me if not for Jack Oceano and Jeff Musall screaming "God is an abomination!" for all to hear. Therefore, my most recent spiritual growth is entirely my own and no one else's.
Even if I am indoctrinated, my personal life has no effect on the argument. The fact is that in any debate, the value of an argument is the logic and reason inherent in it. No matter who makes the argument--or why--the argument has specific points that are either right or wrong. Therefore, if anyone uses this excuse, they have no valid point or counter-point that can contribute to the argument.
In most arguments, I try to avoid directly attacking my opponent in any personal way. However, because Jack was the one who offered the chalenge almost every single time, I think it is appropriate that I consider why he is so intent on using this sad little argument. Jack once wrote that he had atended Catholic schools throughout his entire education and that he had been indoctrinated. I do not deny that there are Christians who do not think for themselves and simply believe whatever their parents believe, this is something that appears in every belief system. Therefore, I have no problem with the idea that Jack was indeed indoctrinated. The problem is that Jack seemed to assume that this was an essential part of human nature. I disagree. It seems to me that Jack had a Catholic indoctrination when he was in a Catholic environment and when he left that environment he took on an aethistic indoctrination. Perhaps what Jack is using to "understand my situation" is based not on human nature, but on Jack Oceano nature.
All in all, I believe I struck the heart of the matter in a comment I posted toward the end of my first argument:I am tired of that little excuse of yours, WHAT MAKES ME INDOCTRINATED? I have explained that I look at things from new perspectives to get a full understanding and that I constantly re-examine my views. If that does not make me a free thinker then what does? If you cannot give me a definition of indoctrination which I fulfill, then I will be left to assume that being indoctrinated either means I do not believe as you believe or that it is a term that you throw out there without giving it any definite meaning therefore making it impossible to disprove.
Published by Brett Davison
My name is Brett and I was born on October 12, 1991. I'm a Christian, a history geek, a philosopher, an otaku, and a writer. View profile
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28 Comments
Post a CommentGreat article, it's so sad that the atheists can't come up with a better argument than "you're too young!"
Brett, I feel your pain, but I've learned we waste our time and energy arguing with unbelievers. Only God can touch their hearts and draw them to Him. I'm sure that statement will only serve to irritate many, but it's true. I'm glad God loves everybody even when, as humans, we find it hard to do. As for me, I know I'm not easy to love, but I'm so glad He loves me anyway. I hope you'll keep writing and never, ever, let anybody discourage you.
Great article! Interesting debate. I find I agree a bit with everyone. Jack: I do think being fed religion at an early age can easily skew one's perceptions. However, I disagree with you that one should not teach a child their religious beliefs. If one believes that they know the way and the truth of life, it is their duty to enlighten their child. Spot on Scott.
What the world is going through is not so much a battle as it is a process which will inevitably lead to the apocalypse, when God and Satan will finally fight it out--I don't want to ruin the ending but guess what, God wins! If you really think that Satan is any way God's equal, then you need to read the Gospel. After Jesus goes to Heaven, demons are being cast out left and right. You couldn't even say grace without 50 wailling demons being driven out of their human hosts!
I feel like I'm overdoing it--maube this needs another article--but I feel that you are misinterpreting how God and Satan interact with the world. Your statement about us all being pawns is based on the idea that God and Satan are in a constant battle over the world. This is the part where your ignorance of free will messes up your entire understanding of Christianity. God could beat Satan right now if he wanted to. He could defeat Satan without raising a finger, so to speak. What restrains Him is not so much any kind of power on Satan's part as much as it is a respect for free will on God's part. The whole reason mankind was even allowed to fall is because God wants us to choose Him. He could force us all to be with Him, but He doesn't want us all to be a bunch of mindless robots. Does He have a plan for us? Yes, but we also have to turn to Him for that plan to be followed. If this is a game, then it is one where every player is also a piece and every piece is also a player. What the
If there is a God, and if that God loves us. How could we possibly be nothing? Quite to the contrary, we are then priceless, and our potential is limitless.
Please Jeff, you do ok until you throw out idiocy like "all evidence points to the contrary." I have studied physics and there are many preeminent scientists, none practicing Christians, who would punch holes in that statement. Secondly, to believe in something you cannot prove is faith. You cannot prove there is no God and your world view is based on this unsubstantiated premis. That is faith my friend.
Orhiolum: It is logically impossible for two conflicting worldviews to both be right. Yes I belive that Christianity is the only completely true worldview. I do believe that other worldviews can be right in some areas, but when it comes down to it, God is the final authority and the Bible comes in at number two.
In His eyes, it is worth it to send His Son--who is also a part of Him--down to earth, wrapped in vile human flesh, and die on the cross. It is worth it for Him to descend from the highest level of existence to the dirt and grime of this world.
Who do you think you're kidding, Jeff? You BELIEVE that there is no God. If you had no faith at all, you wouldn't pick a side. If you really think that atheism is the more optimistic worldiew, then you really need to study some more. According to atheism, there is no afterlife, which means that our only importance is in our contribution to the future. Unfortunately, science has proven that if there is no God, then that future is itself finite. Sice the universe is constantly expanding--it should be noted that a verse in Job says that God stretchES out the heavens--it will eventually be impossible for life to continue to exist. However, according to the Christian worldview, not only is there the whole eternal life thing, but in the eyes of the most powerful being that ever was and ever will be--the entity that makes you look like something less than a bacterium--you are worth dying for. In His eyes, it is worth it to send His Son--who is also a part of Him--down to earth, wrapped in vil