Update: In a shift from our original release schedule, which planned for weekly installments, we’re accelerating our pace. Now, we’ll unveil a new part of the series every 2 days, condensing the complete series rollout to just 2 weeks instead of 2 months. This change ensures that our comprehensive exploration into the topic is delivered to you in a more timely and engaging manner.
8 part series / Part 5: The Psychology of Faith: The Cycle of Indoctrination and Dependency
- Childhood Indoctrination: A Vulnerable Start
- The impact of early exposure to religious teachings on critical thinking skills.
- Psychological analysis of fear-based obedience in children.
- Creating a Dependency Loop
- How religious practices create psychological dependency.
The Cycle of Indoctrination and Dependency
Childhood Indoctrination: A Vulnerable Start
The process of religious indoctrination often begins at a very young age, when children are most vulnerable to the influence of authority figures and least equipped to think critically about the information they are being taught. In many religious communities, children are exposed to dogmatic teachings and rituals from the moment they are born, shaping their worldview and sense of identity before they have the cognitive capacity to question or resist.
Research has shown that early exposure to religious teachings can have a profound impact on a child’s developing mind. A study by Beit-Hallahmi and Argyle (1997) found that children who were raised in religious households were more likely to hold dogmatic beliefs and to exhibit lower levels of critical thinking skills compared to their non-religious peers. Similarly, a study by Altemeyer and Hunsberger (2005) found that individuals who were raised in authoritarian religious environments were more likely to display high levels of right-wing authoritarianism and religious fundamentalism as adults.
The impact of religious indoctrination on children’s critical thinking skills can be understood in part through the lens of cognitive development theory. According to Piaget (1972), children in the preoperational stage of development (ages 2-7) are characterized by egocentrism, animism, and a lack of logical reasoning skills. During this stage, children are highly susceptible to the influence of authority figures and are likely to accept religious teachings at face value, without the ability to critically evaluate their merits.
Moreover, many religious teachings rely heavily on fear-based obedience and the threat of punishment to control children’s behavior. A study by Bottoms et al. (2004) found that children who were raised in religious households were more likely to exhibit high levels of fear and anxiety compared to their non-religious peers, and that this fear was often linked to specific religious teachings about hell, sin, and divine retribution.
As the psychologist and author Marlene Winell has noted, “In many cases, the fear of hell is actually instilled as a way to control the behavior of children. It’s a form of abuse, and it can have lifelong consequences for a person’s mental health and wellbeing” (Winell, 2011, p. 31).
Creating a Dependency Loop
As children grow older, the cycle of religious indoctrination often gives way to a more subtle form of control, in which individuals are made to feel dependent on their faith for a sense of meaning, purpose, and moral guidance. This dependency is reinforced through a variety of religious practices and rituals, which serve to create a powerful psychological bond between the individual and the religious community.
One of the most common examples of this is the practice of prayer. In many religious traditions, prayer is seen as a way to communicate with a higher power and to seek guidance, comfort, and forgiveness. However, from a psychological perspective, prayer can also be understood as a form of self-soothing and emotional regulation, which can create a sense of dependence on the act of praying itself.
As the psychologist and author Valerie Tarico has noted, “Prayer is a form of self-hypnosis. It’s a way of talking to yourself and convincing yourself that you’re talking to someone else. And when you do that often enough, it can create a very powerful sense of emotional dependence” (Tarico, 2012).
Another common religious practice that can create psychological dependency is the act of confession. In many religious traditions, individuals are encouraged to confess their sins to a religious authority figure, such as a priest or pastor, in order to seek forgiveness and absolution. However, this practice can also serve as a form of social control, in which individuals are made to feel ashamed or guilty of their actions and are encouraged to rely on the religious community for moral guidance and support.
As the social psychologist Roy Baumeister has argued, “Confession is a way of creating a bond between the individual and the religious community. It’s a way of saying, ‘I am flawed and imperfect, and I need the community to help me stay on the right path.’ And that can be a very powerful form of social control” (Baumeister, 2010).
Other religious rituals, such as fasting, chanting, and meditation, can also create a sense of psychological dependence by altering an individual’s mental state and creating a feeling of euphoria or transcendence. These experiences can be highly rewarding and can create a strong emotional attachment to the religious community that provides them.
Ultimately, the cycle of religious indoctrination and dependence can be difficult to break, as it is often reinforced by powerful social and emotional bonds within the religious community. Those who question or challenge religious teachings may face intense pressure to conform, or may risk losing the social support and sense of belonging that their faith provides.
As the author and skeptic Michael Shermer has noted, “The power of belief, especially religious belief, is that it allows you to see what you want to see and to ignore what you don’t want to see. It’s a form of selective attention that can be very difficult to break out of, especially if you’ve been raised in a religious community and have a lot of social and emotional ties to that community” (Shermer, 2011, p. 60).
In conclusion, the cycle of religious indoctrination and dependence is a powerful force that can shape an individual’s beliefs, emotions, and behaviors from a very young age. Through a combination of dogmatic teachings, fear-based obedience, and rewarding rituals and practices, religious communities are able to create a deep sense of psychological attachment that can be difficult to break free from. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for anyone seeking to live a more authentic and self-directed life, free from the constraints of religious dogma and control.
References:
- Altemeyer, B., & Hunsberger, B. (2005). Fundamentalism and authoritarianism. In R. F. Paloutzian & C. L. Park (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of religion and spirituality (pp. 378-393). Guilford Press.
- Baumeister, R. F. (2010). The cultural animal: Human nature, meaning, and social life. Oxford University Press.
- Beit-Hallahmi, B., & Argyle, M. (1997). The psychology of religious behaviour, belief and experience. Routledge.
- Bottoms, B. L., Shaver, P. R., Goodman, G. S., & Qin, J. (2004). In the name of God: A profile of religion-related child abuse. Journal of Social Issues, 51(2), 85-111.
- Piaget, J. (1972). The psychology of intelligence. Littlefield, Adams.
- Shermer, M. (2011). The believing brain: From ghosts and gods to politics and conspiracies—How we construct beliefs and reinforce them as truths. Times Books.
- Tarico, V. (2012). Trusting doubt: A former evangelical looks at old beliefs in a new light. Oracle Institute Press.
- Winell, M. (2011). Leaving the fold: A guide for former fundamentalists and others leaving their religion. Apocryphile Press.
Be sure to read the rest of the series: The Psychology of Faith: How Religion Exploits Human Vulnerabilities
- Part 1: Introduction, Thesis, Intent
- Part 2: Understanding Basic Human Needs, Cognitive Biases and Religion
- Part 3: The Concept of Fear in Religious Doctrines, Uncertainty and the Promise of Afterlife
- Part 4: The Role of Community in Reinforcing Beliefs, Peer Pressure and Religious Indoctrination
- Part 5: Childhood Indoctrination: A Vulnerable Start, Creating a Dependency Loop
- Part 6: The Psychology Behind Belief in Miracles, Testimonials and Anecdotal Evidence
- Part 7: Questioning and Critical Thinking, The Journey of Deconversion
- Part 8: Recap, Call to Action, Studies books and articles used as references, Suggested reading
