Does Peer Pressure stifle the acceptance of the obvious?

I was musing about the notion that some people might be holding on to a set of inherited and quite thoroughly discredited ideas in their belief paradigm-- not because of any remaining real conviction in those ideas but because of a subconscious fear of the social ramifications of denouncing the ideas taught to them by their family, peers and social group. And, perhaps, also a fear of up-setting God.To me it seems, there is also a fear of admitting that the implications of science diminish our place in the universe--as if there was something to be ashamed of in admitting our place as wondrous example of the amazing diversity and scope of the marvel that is life!In science there no shame in getting something wrong. It can be initially embarrassing but acceptable so long as you don’t dig in and throw a tantrum when all your peers show you all the evidence that highlights why you are wrong.In regard to Religion on the other hand, I have read of many cases where people have left their church and they have become the social stigma of their community. In more extreme cases these people have been hounded, tormented, and even killed for even questioning the teachings and beliefs in light of new discoveries and facts.Peer pressure is a powerful thing. Peer punishment is truly something to be feared. In religion, especially, there is clearly a well of shame and embarrassment, and not least, fear for some to accept that the wonder that us humans are having been part of the process and not a special specific creation.This message has been edited by ohnhai, 02-11-2005 09:10 AM

In brief, your topic says to me the following:

The notion that some people might be holding on to a set of inherited and quite thoroughly discredited ideas because of a subconscious fear of the social and political ramifications of denouncing the ideas taught to them by their family, peers and social group.

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Fear of up-setting God?

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What the facts say about our place in the universe. (Why shame?)

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You ask us:

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Why so much fear?

Essentially, yes.But it’s more of a question, is this any more than a perceived notion on my part?In science there no shame in getting something wrong, it can be embarrassing sure but so long as you don’t dig in and throw a tantrum when all your peers show you all the evidence that highlights why you are wrong.Most scientists wont resort to violence if one of their number turns their back on science, (apparently it’s against the rules) they have to resort to writing scathing articles or publishing books. OK that is bad in scientific circles but the venom that some religious communities can exhibit to ex-members is frightening.There have been many cases (don’t have any links to hand) where people have left their church and they have become the social stigma of their community. In more extreme cases (and by this I am referring to more cultish religions) these people have been hounded tormented and even killed, for rejecting the teachings.But this is the extreme end of it. I’m sure the entire town turning its back on you an ostracising you and yours can in a real way be far, far worse.I really don’t know how endemic this is, but peer pressure is a powerful thing. Peer punishment is surely something to be feared. Is this even a concern on most religious person’s radar? Over the last many years I have caught wisps of this being an issue, but I only just realised the possible cause recently. All I’m asking is if this is even a subconscious probability?ABE:As to the shame thing, Yes I believe that is an issue for some. How many time have you heard some poorly educated person utter the Phrase “I ain’t descended from no g’dam monkey!” there is clearly a well of shame and embarrassment for some to accept that the wonder that us humans are having been part of the process and not a special specific creation.This message has been edited by ohnhai, 30-10-2005 07:54 PM

Ohnhai---I have taken the liberty to edit your topic. Essentially, it looks to me a bit like this: Does Peer Pressure stifle the obvious?I was musing about the notion that some people might be holding on to a set of inherited and quite thoroughly discredited ideas in their belief paradigm-- not because of any remaining real conviction in those ideas but because of a subconscious fear of the social and political ramifications of denouncing the ideas taught to them by their family, peers and social group. And, perhaps, also a fear of up-setting God.There is also a fear of admitting that the implications of science diminish our place in the universe--as if there was something to be ashamed of in admitting that we are a wondrous example of the amazing diversity and scope of the marvel that is life!In science there no shame in getting something wrong. It can be initially embarrassing but acceptable so long as you don’t dig in and throw a tantrum when all your peers show you all the evidence that highlights why you are wrong.I have read of many cases where people have left their church and they have become the social stigma of their community. In more extreme cases these people have been hounded, tormented, and even killed for even questioning the teachings and beliefs in light of new discoveries and facts.Peer pressure is a powerful thing. Peer punishment is surely something to be feared. In religion, especially, there is clearly a well of shame and embarrassment for some to accept that the wonder that us humans are having been part of the process and not a special specific creation.Give it a final edit (so it can be your words and thoughts) and we can then promote it somewhere. PBThis message has been edited by AdminPhat, 11-01-2005 09:04 AM

Ta for the re-write. The language is far better ( thanx) have edited the OP and as to where to put it I guess Faith and belief is as good a place as any . Probably only want to copy the OP across to the new thread (the rest will only confuse, but will be preserved here for posterity)