The issue with that trite and unfounded argument of being indoctrinated by the Church is that I know many people who prove it wrong, including myself. And so many people on this site, of all faiths, know so much about not only their religion, but others. That is the surest sign we are not indoctrinated: our appreciation of other beliefs besides our own. Many of my followers can vouch for my intense love of Orthodoxy, despite my being Catholic. 

Are you confusing indoctrination with simply being taught the beliefs and practices of the Church? Of course a religious institution is going to teach its followers that their beliefs are correct and what is necessary to be included in that institution. That is not indoctrination; it’s teaching. The Church is not going to tell Catholics “Oh yeah we believe this and do this and God tells us this but you know it’s not really that important, you can do what this religion does in place of some of our practices ok?” We are strong in our beliefs because to us they are the truth. That is not indoctrination. That is conviction.

On the topic of truths, a big teaching of the Church is that all peaceful and good religions have elements of truth. An institution that wishes to indoctrinate its people would not promote such a thought.

When I thought I was an atheist (which I was not, I was in fact being brainwashed in a way, my bitterness and confusion being taken advantage of) the thing that brought me back to not just the Church, but God and religion in general was this quote by Thomas Nagel: “I want atheism to be true and am made uneasy by the fact that some of the most intelligent and well-informed people I know are religious believers.” Those words could have come from my own mouth. It sort of knocked the sense back into me.  

I believe the reason we are intelligent and well-informed is because the Church does not in fact indoctrinate, but provides a foundation for all knowledge, as all good religions do. 

I went to Catholic school all my life, grew up (and am still in) a very devout Catholic family, spend most of my free time with nuns and priests and seminarians and one of the main things I have learned from all this is to be a free-thinker, because our minds were given to us by God and to not use them or expand them and to just dwell on one or a few things is an insult to Him and to ourselves. Why do you think so many important scientific theories and music and art and writings have come from Catholics? 

I suppose some people honestly believe that all Catholics blindly accept everything the Church tells us. We do not. Some do yes, and I think that is a huge mistake. If something the Church says or does doesn’t sit well with me, I look into it and form my own opinion because after all that’s what She has taught me: to be a free-thinker, to question.

Now that I think of it, maybe the Church itself has made me into a sort of heretic by teaching me that. The infallibility of the Pope is something I’ve always struggled with (that’s my Orthodox side coming out). I do not think a human can ever fully speak for God. When the Pope says something I disagree with, I cannot accept it simply because he said it. I need to discern what God says on the issue.

Regardless, I love the Church and the Pope and what they have taught me. And I know that despite my qualms and questions about infallibility, I will always be welcome. 

No Catholic I have ever met was anywhere near brainwashed or indoctrinated (yet there probably are some like that and that’s unfortunate, but does nothing to disprove the Church, it only shows the weakness of that person’s mind). 

In fact, no religious person of any creed that I’ve met has been indoctrinated. Back to that Nagel quote….

The sad thing is that there are religious institutions who definitely brainwash its congregation through fear and hate, such as the WBC and FLDS. Those are the people we need to worry about being indoctrinated. But this society loves to focus on Catholicism, I suppose because it’s more mainstream and we rarely lash out. Believe me, you do not need to worry about us.

I do not know what type of Catholics  raised you, but they clearly did something wrong if you are so averse to it now. Or maybe it’s just not for you and that’s ok. But what’s not ok is how misinformed you are.  

Further, faith is most definitely logical, another thing you are very very gravely wrong about. I suggest reading Mere Christianity by CS Lewis and The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton and Orthodoxy by GK Chesterton. Also, William Paley’s watch argument, Aquinas’ Proofs, and Duns Scotus. Don’t worry, not trying to convert you. But there’s nothing wrong with being informed, is there? And hey maybe you have read them, in which case, I don’t know what to say.

While still on the topic of logic, back to the scientific theories that have been developed by Catholics/religious people: logic breeds logic. Faith is based on logic (sometimes it seems it’s all blind acceptance, sometimes even I feel that way, but there is actually thought behind it all). That logical faith opens the mind to more logic, to science, to reasoning, to an explaining and appreciation of the world and Who’s behind all of it. Hence, my annoyance with that ridiculous 100% inaccurate Dawkins quote. 

Another thing: the only indoctrinated people I’ve ever met have been atheists. 

Before I go on, let me make it crystal clear that I in no way believe all atheists are like this. I have met/come across ones who are very free-thinkers who have logic behind their beliefs and are able to have a civil, intelligent argument. While I don’t believe what they believe, I respect the fact that they have thought through these beliefs and do truly believe them. Maybe, hopefully, you’re one of those.

Anyway, the indoctrinated atheists….they say there is no God yet they practically worship Dawkins and Hitchens and all those other pseudo philosophers/scientists who have twisted and warped religion into some sort of brainless, science-hating monster hellbent on world destruction. And these indoctrinated atheists believe this utter filth while touting themselves as tolerant and open-minded and practically stuff their ears if you dare bring up the possibility that they just might be wrong. 

Maybe when I called that anon brainwashed, I was exaggerating. But while I do not know them, I know their type. And do you honestly think a person who anonymously sends hateful messages with obscenities and stupid, half-formed ideas is well-informed and is thinking for themselves? I don’t.  

I’m sorry, but it does not seem you are very knowledgeable when it comes to religion. You may have a superficial knowledge of some beliefs and practices, but that does not equate being very knowledgeable. The very premise of your question shows me that. Your personal bitterness towards Catholicism has colored your “knowledge” and it is not objective. 

I hope I didn’t come off as snobby or mean in any way. If so, I did not intend it.

“It is true that a little philosophy inclines man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy brings men’s mind about to religion.” Francis Bacon