Religions are not 'brainwashing cults'
Religion is a controversial topic, often leading the most diplomatic among us down the rabbit hole into combative debate. It’s a topic we tackled with gusto last year when Claudia Dunn argued that all religions were basically ‘brainwashing cults’.
With Christmas approaching, when many of us suddenly feel drawn to church to light candles and sing carols, we thought it was time to explore the other side of the debate. We spoke to Heathfield minister Reverend Andy Caldwell - a highly reasonable, empathetic, articulate man, who had a lot to say about the effect of religion on society and the importance of belief to human beings.
So, are all religions brainwashing their followers?
His answer is a resounding no. The devastating effects of terrorism are continuing to resonate around the world, and in the light of such chaos and strife, the destructive power of religion has been highlighted in the media.
"The problem is people," explains Rev Caldwell. "Isis is not Islam, just like the Ku Klux Klan are not Christianity. Cults manipulate religion for their own ends. They use brainwashing but it isn't for religion; it's for themselves." He is quick to point out all the brilliant legacies of religion throughout the centuries. "If you look back through time, you will see people of faith doing amazing things: Isaac Newton, the abolition of slavery, Martin Luther King. The early days of Islam were times of incredible enlightenment and learning."
Equally, he reminds us that some of the most violent and bloodthirsty rulers have been atheists, including Stalin and Pol Pot.
"The important thing to remember is that the broad overall teaching of all religions is peace. The flaw is human nature."
But why would a God who wants all to be well create such volatile, angry and corruptible creatures as humans on the earth? As Rev Caldwell says, this is ‘the big question’. Aquinas, the 13th Century influential priest and philosopher, argued that “God has made a less than perfect world.” The origins of which stem back to the story of Eve and the apple. It can be argued the moment God bestowed freedom of choice upon the first humans, he opened the door to evil and corruption. "If Eve had been able to see in the apple the suffering that would come after, that one of her daughters would be raped, her son killed, and years down the line the holocaust happens... If she had been able to see this, she would not have eaten the apple," says Rev Caldwell. Alas, she was led into temptation and thus the idea of free will was born, and with it the idea of morality. Was Eve wrong to pick the apple because God told her not to? Or was Eve right to pick the apple because she wanted to?
However, it can be argued that religion is a social construct. Religion emerged from patriarchal societies, where power and control was of paramount importance. As such, the Bible and other religious texts may be seen as rhetorical devices, produced to convince the people that God has created law and morals, instead of the flawed, corruptible men governing the material world.
In the modern world, many people have an issue with the authority of religion. But Rev Caldwell is keen for us to see that his God is a forgiving and loving god, who rewards any who live a good life, and offers any the chance of heaven. “If God said follow me or go to hell, he would be a tyrant along the lines of Hitler,” he explains, “that’s not the kind of God I see at all.”
Part of the problem is selective cherry-picking from religious texts. Only a tiny number of phrases in the Quran refer to religious martyrdom, while the rest of it refers to peace, love and community. A Jehovah's Witness may be compelled to let their child bleed to death rather than allow them to have a blood transfusion because of their understanding of a short reference in the Bible which was certainly never intended to describe any process in modern medicine. Parts of the church still maintain opposition to homosexuality; some are still opposed to women in the ministry, but all of these are missing the key messages of religion as Rev Caldwell sees them. "At the heart of faith are the commands to love God and love your neighbour as yourself," he explains, "That means loving everybody."
Rev Caldwell urges us to remember that the majority of all religious individuals are peaceful, tolerant, accepting and seek to improve this imperfect world, not destroy it. Religious groups are not brainwashing cults. But the world is full of human beings, some of whom are greedy for power, money and influence and are prepared to distort religious doctrine to get it.
Interestingly, Rev Caldwell points out that in its own way, Capitalism is as much of a religion as any other: "And it's one that makes no sense in a world with finite resources. People are constantly trying to get more and more when the reality is that there is less and less to go round."
"Come to Church and see what it's like," says Rev Caldwell. "Don't judge a book by its cover." He's delighted that The Vine has got people thinking: "I believe passionately in talking about these things. I don't care where, but talking and thinking deeply is so important and it's so heartening to know that's going on in the school. Let's not just look at ourselves - look up! If you went to a gallery you wouldn't just stand and stare at your shoes. Look up and around you - life is more than you can simply touch, taste and smell!"
Many people are ‘seasonal Christians’, only attending church on Christmas Day. The Reverend welcomes all, whether you attend church every Sunday or once a year. A church as he understands it is a community, a place to feel safe and accepted, a place to celebrate Christmas surrounded by love, free from hate. "We're not dogmatic," he says. "We're a community of people who say there is more to this world. We have people who believe the world was created in six days and people who are evolutionary scientists. I love that. We have people from every part of the political spectrum. I believe it's about building a community where people with differing ideas and world views can join and come together."
Emma Baker and Olivia Foskett, Year 13
Andy Caldwell is minister of the Baptist Church in Heathfield
With Christmas approaching, when many of us suddenly feel drawn to church to light candles and sing carols, we thought it was time to explore the other side of the debate. We spoke to Heathfield minister Reverend Andy Caldwell - a highly reasonable, empathetic, articulate man, who had a lot to say about the effect of religion on society and the importance of belief to human beings.
So, are all religions brainwashing their followers?
His answer is a resounding no. The devastating effects of terrorism are continuing to resonate around the world, and in the light of such chaos and strife, the destructive power of religion has been highlighted in the media.
"The problem is people," explains Rev Caldwell. "Isis is not Islam, just like the Ku Klux Klan are not Christianity. Cults manipulate religion for their own ends. They use brainwashing but it isn't for religion; it's for themselves." He is quick to point out all the brilliant legacies of religion throughout the centuries. "If you look back through time, you will see people of faith doing amazing things: Isaac Newton, the abolition of slavery, Martin Luther King. The early days of Islam were times of incredible enlightenment and learning."
Equally, he reminds us that some of the most violent and bloodthirsty rulers have been atheists, including Stalin and Pol Pot.
"The important thing to remember is that the broad overall teaching of all religions is peace. The flaw is human nature."
But why would a God who wants all to be well create such volatile, angry and corruptible creatures as humans on the earth? As Rev Caldwell says, this is ‘the big question’. Aquinas, the 13th Century influential priest and philosopher, argued that “God has made a less than perfect world.” The origins of which stem back to the story of Eve and the apple. It can be argued the moment God bestowed freedom of choice upon the first humans, he opened the door to evil and corruption. "If Eve had been able to see in the apple the suffering that would come after, that one of her daughters would be raped, her son killed, and years down the line the holocaust happens... If she had been able to see this, she would not have eaten the apple," says Rev Caldwell. Alas, she was led into temptation and thus the idea of free will was born, and with it the idea of morality. Was Eve wrong to pick the apple because God told her not to? Or was Eve right to pick the apple because she wanted to?
However, it can be argued that religion is a social construct. Religion emerged from patriarchal societies, where power and control was of paramount importance. As such, the Bible and other religious texts may be seen as rhetorical devices, produced to convince the people that God has created law and morals, instead of the flawed, corruptible men governing the material world.
In the modern world, many people have an issue with the authority of religion. But Rev Caldwell is keen for us to see that his God is a forgiving and loving god, who rewards any who live a good life, and offers any the chance of heaven. “If God said follow me or go to hell, he would be a tyrant along the lines of Hitler,” he explains, “that’s not the kind of God I see at all.”
Part of the problem is selective cherry-picking from religious texts. Only a tiny number of phrases in the Quran refer to religious martyrdom, while the rest of it refers to peace, love and community. A Jehovah's Witness may be compelled to let their child bleed to death rather than allow them to have a blood transfusion because of their understanding of a short reference in the Bible which was certainly never intended to describe any process in modern medicine. Parts of the church still maintain opposition to homosexuality; some are still opposed to women in the ministry, but all of these are missing the key messages of religion as Rev Caldwell sees them. "At the heart of faith are the commands to love God and love your neighbour as yourself," he explains, "That means loving everybody."
Rev Caldwell urges us to remember that the majority of all religious individuals are peaceful, tolerant, accepting and seek to improve this imperfect world, not destroy it. Religious groups are not brainwashing cults. But the world is full of human beings, some of whom are greedy for power, money and influence and are prepared to distort religious doctrine to get it.
Interestingly, Rev Caldwell points out that in its own way, Capitalism is as much of a religion as any other: "And it's one that makes no sense in a world with finite resources. People are constantly trying to get more and more when the reality is that there is less and less to go round."
"Come to Church and see what it's like," says Rev Caldwell. "Don't judge a book by its cover." He's delighted that The Vine has got people thinking: "I believe passionately in talking about these things. I don't care where, but talking and thinking deeply is so important and it's so heartening to know that's going on in the school. Let's not just look at ourselves - look up! If you went to a gallery you wouldn't just stand and stare at your shoes. Look up and around you - life is more than you can simply touch, taste and smell!"
Many people are ‘seasonal Christians’, only attending church on Christmas Day. The Reverend welcomes all, whether you attend church every Sunday or once a year. A church as he understands it is a community, a place to feel safe and accepted, a place to celebrate Christmas surrounded by love, free from hate. "We're not dogmatic," he says. "We're a community of people who say there is more to this world. We have people who believe the world was created in six days and people who are evolutionary scientists. I love that. We have people from every part of the political spectrum. I believe it's about building a community where people with differing ideas and world views can join and come together."
Emma Baker and Olivia Foskett, Year 13
Andy Caldwell is minister of the Baptist Church in Heathfield