I remember reading this. Yep, especially in the south where they fill up your entire social schedule so you don’t have the time to socialize outside of your tribe. Plus is quite effortless.

A kid in my class was one of those trained by their religious fanatic parents to disrupt classes in biology by confronting the teacher on every point regarding evolution with creationist talking points.
He didn't have a lot of success. Mostly he just got heckled for being so stupid and hypocritical.

This post makes me wonder if the parents aren't doing that shit on purpose.

The suffering part is an important 'binding' agent, it appears. Through suffering (being rejected, ridiculed, and ignored) these pesky folks gain points. "Look at what I'm willing to do, say, and think in order to prove my faith and loyalty...."

This was a very good response and very well articulated. I think he lays too heavy on the brainwashing aspect. While I agree that religion does have a brainwashing effect, I don't think that religious adherents are purposely trying to brainwash possible converts. They actually believe that they are doing a service by being missionaries of the faith.

His thoughts on tribe mentality are spot on. I will actually argue that this is a huge problem in today's society. As we tackle our current social issues, I think the tribe mentality is at times a detriment to progress. If you are a man you can't comment on women's issues, especially if you don't agree with the tribe's ideologies. The same with political parties, race issues, and transgender issues, etc.

I am a strong proponent of equal rights for everyone, but without the back and forth - dialectic aspect.... it can lead to overcorrection.

Someone should do a TED Talk on that.

Brilliant response! Thanks for posting it!

Very interesting. I have watched JW's standing with their leaflets that no one ever takes. They tend to stay for a couple of hours then disappear probably to go and commiserate with one another and do some bond strengthening.
I have friends who attend mainstream churches but do not think it would be possible to be friendly with anyone from the more extreme groups.

Yes, I hate the brainwashing!! I have a son whom I didn't see for 11 yrs because he got involved with and married the leaders daughter. Talk about a click and controlling people!! It was terrible. We were shunned (not good enough I guess) and treated like sit so they wouldn't loose control. To make a long story short, my son's wife did a 360 and left my son and kids. She went to Hollywood, had tons of plastic surgery and basically looks like a transvestite. She ls in love with herself. My son remarried and is out now and can finally see the hypocrisy. I'll tell you tho as a mother it was devastating and I can never get those lost years back. Her and her family turned their twin daughters against my son. They are now adults and I have no relationship with them. I hate religion!!

My POV was kind of different slant to it . . .
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"What is more selfish, arrogant and pretentious than to believe there is a supreme being watching your every move, and that you are of the "chosen" few, out of many? Believing a supreme being would create many people, but only choose YOU. Christians say they are humble . . . not so. They have no love for all of mankind, nor does their putative creator."
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"Christianity . . . . has its roots in primitive behavior that says kill the adulterer, stone to death the child who curses its parents . . . . quite primitive and ridiculous ideas. Most religions are nothing but hiding places for prejudicial biases . . . . At the very base of their belief. . . . is the belief that certain people are "saved", and certain people are not. That is a form of hate if you ask me. Why should we not focus on benefit for ALL of mankind, instead of one small group of people?"

Wow....That's a good one!

Great analysis! I think many of us here are away from out “tribe” of birth and resisting the pull to go back because we realize it’s emptiness

The cycle of ritualistic pain is part of cognitive addictive behaviour. The dopamine released, causes a need to carry the rituals at the cost of all else in life, not seeing the perspectives of others. Only their own paradigm that generates those stupid looks that evangelicals have plastered over their falsely happy faces.

Absolutely brilliant! Thanks for sharing

Very well analyzed !

Life is all about tribal issues. This got us religion in the first place and has us into Reality TV type issues today. I avoid the stress by NOT having a big expensive phone and texting every 10 minutes.

When people get upset ask them not Quora.

Something like this has been posted before but it is well worth repeating, for new members and those who missed it the first time especially. Interesting post.

Great post.

I feel like I have seen this before, but it might have been something related. Anyways, if anyone comes to my door trying to convert me, this is what I am going to tell them. The only way to break the cycle is to expose it for what it is.