Religion vs Critical Thinking

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atheistnerd
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Religion vs Critical Thinking

Post by atheistnerd »

I tend to find atheist are better critical thinkers based on the debates I've seen and Facebook debate groups I've been part of. Does indoctrination cause theist to be less effective at critical thinking? I know atheist will say "of course" but can anyone give a reason why theism may help foster critical thinking? I was very religious but as I developed critical thinking skills I challenged my own beliefs and slowly became atheistic.
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EquALLity
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Re: Religion vs Critical Thinking

Post by EquALLity »

I think a large part of it is that people who are more predisposed to critical thinking tend to end up as atheists, while those who are less predisposed to it tend to end up as theists (because it takes critical thinking skills to become an atheist, generally).

I think that theism stifles critical thinking, also, because it teaches people that irrational dogma is true, and that other things have to line up with that dogma to be real (so some people, by default, deny things like evolution).
Religion also actively discourages critical thinking by telling people that 'God' wants you to believe in 'Him' based on faith alone, and that faith is a virtue, which discourages people from being skeptical.
And it reinforces it all using fear.

Also, when it comes to online debates between atheists and theists, I think it makes sense that you'll tend to see the more rational atheists and more crazy theists.
The Internet is full of great anti-religion arguments, and to be a theist debating online, you've probably seen and rejected those already (which would happen if you're already a more irrational person). The more rational theists will probably become atheists, so you won't see them involved in online discourse as much.

P.S., welcome to the forum! You should make an intro. :D
Last edited by EquALLity on Fri Jan 15, 2016 7:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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brimstoneSalad
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Re: Religion vs Critical Thinking

Post by brimstoneSalad »

As EquALLity says, it may be the other way around: Critical thinking causes atheism (from religion, anyway).
I have certainly run into a number of atheists with no critical thinking skills, both in atheist predominant areas, and whose parents were not religious.
EquALLity wrote:I think that theism fosters critical thinking, also, because it teaches people that irrational dogma is true, and that other things have to line up with that dogma to be real (so some people, by default, deny things like evolution).
I'm not sure if that's what you meant to say.
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EquALLity
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Re: Religion vs Critical Thinking

Post by EquALLity »

^Whoops, fixed it.
brimstoneSalad wrote:I have certainly run into a number of atheists with no critical thinking skills, both in atheist predominant areas, and whose parents were not religious.
Yeah, since those people are essentially atheists by default, there's less of a chance of a connection between their atheism and critical thinking skills.
"I am not a Marxist." -Karl Marx
atheistnerd
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Re: Religion vs Critical Thinking

Post by atheistnerd »

P.S., welcome to the forum! You should make an intro. :D

I have a YouTube channel called "atheist nerd" you all should check out. I am an admin for a philosophy group and regularly participate in several atheist vs theist debate groups on Facebook. I recently became an atheist.
PatrickInwood
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Re: Religion vs Critical Thinking

Post by PatrickInwood »

Interesting question, and of course, why would a theist want to practice critical thinking when the whole point of an organized religion is to loyally defend its doctrine? But I have to admit that I often impressed, if frustrated, by the seemingly instinctive mix of faux-logic, emotional button pushing, and overwhelming amount of detail with which theists respond to criticism. Sort like a an octopus squirting ink to escape a predator.
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