Coercion and Consent

[Neatras]

In one of the current discussions on brainwashing, it has been put that religions do not use force to influence belief in theism. At this, demands are made of examples where churches use actual, physical force to coerce belief.

However, I do not accept that the only means of forcing belief is to use physically invasive or harmful means.

My question for all is: Can someone be coerced to believe something without using physically harmful methods? Are psychological manipulation techniques coercive?

A bonus question: If someone is coerced to believe someone using psychologically manipulative means, are they then purely rational agents who choose to believe in theism? Was the choice ever fairly presented to them?

[Divine Insight]

A bonus question: If someone is coerced to believe someone using psychologically manipulative means, are they then purely rational agents who choose to believe in theism? Was the choice ever fairly presented to them?

When I was a child the choice that was most often offered by Christian theists is the following:

"Do you want to go to heaven, or you do you want to burn in hell?"

They don't typically ask if you want to "believe" in heaven and hell.

In fact, if as a child you reply that you don't believe in heaven and hell, you'd most likely find yourself in some serious trouble for not believing your elders, or showing blatant disrespect for the religion, etc. You'd no doubt be seriously chastised if you continued to refuse to believe in the claims of the religion.

[benchwarmer]

In one of the current discussions on brainwashing, it has been put that religions do not use force to influence belief in theism. At this, demands are made of examples where churches use actual, physical force to coerce belief.

However, I do not accept that the only means of forcing belief is to use physically invasive or harmful means.

My question for all is: Can someone be coerced to believe something without using physically harmful methods? Are psychological manipulation techniques coercive?

A bonus question: If someone is coerced to believe someone using psychologically manipulative means, are they then purely rational agents who choose to believe in theism? Was the choice ever fairly presented to them?

In that current discussion it is my opinion that those who are arguing there is no brain washing taking place in churches are simply being pedantic to avoid the real issue.

I think that psychological methods are actually more insidious than direct physical methods. Of course no one would continue to go to a church if you were physically harmed during the service. It's much more effective to appeal to one's fears and anxiety about their eternal souls (and the belief that we all have one) in order to manipulate emotions and get everyone on the same program.

Once you are in, then there's peer pressure and constant guilt tripping from the pulpit. Appeals for your money, your time, and of course all the friends you can convince to join as well.

It may not be technically 'brain washing' how some define the term, but it is definitely manipulation, coercion, and pressure to get with the program or risk burning in hell, disappointing your creator, and generally not being on the 'inside' with God.