Conditioned Part 1

It is a matter of perspectives.  Christians, Muslims and Jews (others), advertise that they are standing on the ‘Moral High Ground’ and use that as the leveraging point to assail atheists and others not of their religious persuasion.  When given the feedback that they have failed to prove a point, establish a solid position, or are just plain wrong they respond harshly and with strong negative emotion.

I always found it interesting that those who call themselves ‘religious’ or ‘faithful’ cannot be wrong or in error in some manner.   The perception of infallibility is well entrenched in the process of indoctrination of the converts and factions.   The perspective is well endowed with logical fallacies, failed reasoning, and a profound lack of self-examination.  Behaviorally speaking, whether portrayed as a cult, addiction, disease, or gang religious affiliation and the corresponding faith attributed has a central theme ‘god first’.   The faithful must protect the religion at all cost.  If an atheist introduces doubt it shakes the foundation and creates an existential crisis for the believer.  This crisis is so profound that it rattles the underpinnings for the believer.  These kinds of processes are akin to the feelings of fight, flight or freeze responses when one’s life is in jeopardy.

Examination of basic behavioral principles applied to Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.  Tying each of the levels to some feature of the religious practice:

The foundation of the pyramid are well described in most religious texts as to the; who, what, when, how and the where.  Many religious organizations offer, food, water, and a place to sleep if the person is not able to provide for self.   Given the person’s participation in the eating, drinking, sleeping and other basic physiological needs the religious organization only asks that the participant then pray or worship with them.  This is the beginning of the indoctrination, the underpinnings if you will the brain-washing using the basic human needs to entice the participant into the organization.

If the individuals basic human needs are met then safety and security are used as a tool to entice the participant into the religious organization.  They offer security of the individual.  Organizations sometimes an offer of stable income, establishment of a set of moral standards that the person finds appealing, establishing a strong sense of safety and stability; written in the religious texts and applied by the faithful.  This is a very strong motivator for those who have experienced trauma.  Religious aid groups offer support and guidance to individuals who have suffered from natural disasters.  Most if not all have some way of communicating that the ‘religion’ is responsible for the care and comfort of those suffering. 

If an individual’s physiological needs, safety and security are met the religion also offers love and belonging.  One is always greeted with a smile at a church and a hearty welcome.  A great way to advertise: “You are welcome here.”  They offer coffee or conversation after the sermon, and social groups associated with the religion, some are secret – requiring an invitation.  Some require a special handshake lending a lot of secrecy and enhanced inclusiveness.

The religion continues to work all avenues of the pyramid to offer something of reinforcement to the believer.  The holy book comes packed with all kinds of morals, lessons, and tools.  The sermons come filled with self-esteem boosting, and many religious leaders recognize parishioners during the sermon to point out achievement.  There are awards that are given for differing levels of accomplishment.  These are frequently offered (if not always) in front of the audience advertising advancement in the religious practices.  It fills the person with pride and inspiration to do more. 

At the top of the pyramid is self-actualization.  Goals set here by the individual include becoming a teacher of religious doctrine and becoming a leader of the faithful.  There are some issues with abuse of power and influence at the top of the pyramid.  This is best left for a different post.

Atheists chipping away at any one of these parts of the pyramid demonstrating a believers responding to  basic classical (or operant) conditioning perspectives tend to elicit a strong response as an argument on the person directly due to the nature of the conditioning that has taken place. 

The same human needs are applied to atheism as well.    This can be tempered with intelligence and forethought when approaching the needs of humans.  Ego and self-importance are not what atheism is about.  It is the rejection of a god.  The rejection that the only correct way of thinking is a religious way of thinking, any implication to the contrary is horrendously flawed.

The faithful do not understand the influences acting on them.  They feel that they are standing on the top of the pyramid looking down upon all others.  This is an illusion conditioned over time.  They are just as susceptible to all human (animal) conditioning.