One day I was watching a news show reporting on extremist groups and the question was raised….”why do people knowingly join extremist groups focused on hurting others?” That got me wondering….is religion and racism born out of the same context and perhaps both early forms of brainwashing?
I raise this question not to offend or attack the values and beliefs of others. Rather, to explore the concept if people are not born with a hereditary predisposition toward a particular belief or value, their actions therefore appear to be learned behaviours. The most obvious examples that came to mind were centered around spiritual affiliation or participation in hate groups. These both appear to be learned behaviors.
Similar to how people are taught to talk, read and write, they are also taught love, hate, faith, etc. Therefore, it does not really matter where a person is born as that person will be exposed to, and raised with beliefs and values very close to ones parents, guardians or caregivers.
In some cases, we don’t have a choice as we are taught not to question the teachings of our parents. After all, they are the ones who clothe, house and feed us during our formative years. In some societies questioning your parents/elders can result in disciplinary actions including banishment from the family. Since we are sometimes taught not to question beliefs and values, we have no choice but to become “brainwashed” to the teachings…right or wrong. For the most part, our parents teach us what they were taught. Therefore, the initial beliefs and values we learn are largely based on where and how you were raised.
However, that does not necessarily mean you will adopt and strictly adhere to the teachings from your parents. There are clear examples of people converting from one religion to another, choosing science based evidence over theological teachings, and/or abandoning what they were taught by their parents. While I have no scientific proof, I can only surmise the reason people are dedicated to a particular religion, spend their lives helping others or join extremist groups is first rooted in early exposure and second, based on formative, life events. Otherwise, how does one explain suicide bombing?
So I guess the message here is, right or wrong to the viewpoint and opinion of others, we make decisions based on what we believe to be truth…..no matter the consequence.