What is with the lack of critical thinking and being religious?
351690
I find faith to not have much middle ground as far as thinking goes -- you usually have people who just use faith as an excuse not to have to think about things at all (they just want the answers provided to them, so they can feel secure), and then you have those really struggle with faith and pursue it and think critically of everything throughout the entire ongoing process of looking for meaning.\n\nCriticial thinking and faith is not exclusionary, but you'll see many of the first type of people (the non-thinkers) simply because it's so easy to do.
464185
You just have to browse this site to draw that conclusion. Just compare the responses given by theists compared to atheists. Nothing retards intellectual development as much as religious indoctrination.
691150
The reason this appears to be true is because the higher a person goes to obtain knowledge the better their ability to gather information, solve problems and critically think.  Religion plays more to a person's emotions than their intelligence.  It's easier to be passive and pray for better times than to be aggressive and create better times. \n\nA person with little to no education will have confidence in something/someone other than themselves while a person with education will have more confidence in themselves.
1067599
I think you've correctly identified the fact that religious belief is not based on reason (since there has never been any valid argument or evidence for the existence of gods), but rather it is based largely on emotional needs, i.e. it's wishful thinking.
225703
Because Religion turns people into mindless idiots.
804964
Im in the same situation. I've got a decent knowledge of the bible and a totally impartial view of religions as a whole (I read it to see what all the hubub was about). My country is 99% Roamn Catholic, and I'd guess that at least 80% of these people couldn't quote scripture to save their lives.\nIt doesn't matter though. Real religious experience comes from participating in the Church and living your life through God. Christians will always pick and chose which parts of the Bible to follow, and who are we (filthy athiests) to argue with them. It is their book after all, they can do with it what they please.
511445
Most of the religious people stay home and pout with a stink eye and generally have nothing else productive to do until they start blabbing away mindlessly on the internet.\n\nPeople who are alittle more skeptical are enjoying themselves and are actually socializing with each other. Or they could also be working..like me (or..should be working... :P )
547787
This is very true. Most modern religious folks are not willing to step outside of their normal perspective on things. I find it a little sad that so many people refuse to think for themselves.
1147109
Intellectual surrender. Good phrase! I (as you may gather) am a member of the second group. I feel that some people cling to the Word or God and the word of God only idea because they are lazy. If everything I need to know is already written down and needs no interpretations then I don't have to think for myself. It gives them an out and makes the spiritual life a no brainer with no work required.\nIt's just "here are the rules, go live by the rules" They have no need to pray or listen to God speak to them. They never have to wonder about anything. They never have to do any of the work of being human. Like cattle. Just follow the rules and then die. Easy instructions.\nThis is why I belong to a church that values education and thought.
346508
Religious people have certain notions that have been drilled into their heads by family, peers and close-minded beliefs. Even though not "all" are the same the vast majority are in fact like that. As an example the other day I had this lady come up to me and start to ask me about having bible 'discussion' at home, when I told her I'm not interested she began making several insinuations to include saying people that don't believe as they do are hypocrites... hahaha! boy did she have it backwards.
967165
Because people cannot think for themselves. They need to have a set of "guidelines" made to follow. Other people can't believe in themselves because they see believing in gods as a bigger cause, so to speak.
1010880
Not all 'religious people' think that non-believer are wrong though, I admit, a great many do.  Like anything else, people are brought up with certain belief systems that are stronger than others.  Some, over time, adapt their beliefs through education while others entrench themselves further despite being exposed to new and edifying material.  One answer to your question might perhaps lie somewhere in the fact that, once again, over time some folks are more open-minded than others and, by being so, allow their critical thinking faculties to adapt their original beliefs through education.  Remember though that this is just one answer to a very complicated question.
200865
Lack of knowledge /faith in God .
605106
Freud had a lot to say about how we understand religion.  The (our) father being the dominant position.  People need something to believe in and someone to show them the way.  We are truly weak creatures...well...not all of us are...but A LOT of us really don't think before we invest our faith.
1115824
I couldn't agree with you more. What irritates me the most is the lack of wanting to learn. They figure if they should know it, it would be in the bible. At this point, religion is basically standing in the way of progress.
824956
Wow, I am amazed at the responses you've gotten so far.\nWe keep hearing about how people who don't believe in God are supposed to be so much more intelligent than those of us who do, and yet, all we here from these educated people is that you should go to school, or read a book...in other words, they can't answer your questions.\nGee, and even when they admit that they can't answer your questions, they throw in an insult, just for good measure....\n\nLooks as if you've hit a nerve, my friend!!
829525
Our minds usually accept the dogmas and myths of our culture. Most peoples' minds become programmed with the beliefs of their era and society. They don't think for themselves but let their parents, their friends, their favorite TV show, or what cultural beliefs  implant  in them. To be able to form sound opinions and make effective decisions, you must know how to think critically.  Enlightened thinking involves the careful consideration of multiple points of view and keeping our minds open to alternative sources of information. Unless we work at becoming critical thinkers, there is a natural tendency is to limit our ideas to only those that are easily available, never really discovering or considering alternative sources of information.  Christians and most people following dogma and never think to question what they are learning.  Sheep - humanity is in reality a herd of sheep.