What makes religious authorities hold inordinate power & persuasion among the po

1. 82

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   What makes religious authorities hold inordinate power & persuasion among the poorest
   
   & the least educated among us?  What makes religion extremely attractive to the poorest & least educated people?
   
   

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2. 71

   Lori P.posted 9 years ago

   There are several reasons why. Psychological and spiritual reasons. The least educated and poor often are most humble and can accept the notion of Divine Authority. They also tend to need hope and help both of which are offered freely in the religious doctrines.
   
   The poor and uneducated tend to feel personally disempowered and they look outwardly for guidance and direction; whereas those who have resources and education tend to recognize their own power and do not need to seek outward. They also question, evaluate, and challenge the opinions of religious authority whereas the disempowered tend to be sheep who need a shepherd to protect them.

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      gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      This is SO TRUE.  Many poor/uneducated people see religion as a bright beacon to their often infernal lives.  Religion has been a "great friend" to the poor  which is why religion is empowered by the poor/uneducated.

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3. 82

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   
   
   Poor & least educated people are the most denigrated & marginalized segments of our society.  They are considered personae non gratae & are designated as "the other".  Since they are societal outsiders, they feel excluded from the world.  They view religion as a balm to uplift their spirits & to regain their humanity so to speak. 
   
   Religion makes them feel like they are worthwhile & somebodies.  They feel that despite their hellish existence, religion promises them a better afterlife.  They believe that through religion that there is something better. Religious teachings exhort the poor as purer & morally superior to the wealthy & affluent.  Biblical teachings strongly assert that the poor are unworldly & nearer to God than the wealthy.  Of course, such teachings make the poor & least educated feel so much better about themselves.
   
   Then religious authorities themselves feel more powerful that they have poor followers & congregants.  Such people tend to take religion more seriously & literally.  They see religious authorities as God elects on earth which suit religious authorities fine.  Since they feel worthless & powerless, they inadvertently give their power away to religious authorities who have enormous power over their lives.

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4. 59

   QudsiaP1posted 9 years ago

   The poor seek answers; answers that satiate their desperations; their frustrations. They are most vulnerable to any idea that is being sold as long as it satiates their immediate need. They do not ponder; they do not deduce; they do not have focus groups. They will follow whoever and whatever that will keep their stomachs full and save them from the cold.

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      gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      This is so true.  Notice the proliferation of churches in poorer neighborhoods. On almost every corner, there IS A CHURCH!

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5. 60

   Kiss andTalesposted 9 years ago

   I disagree there are rich and wealthy people who believe in God, there are poor atheist not believing,  so the whole structure of the question is not true.

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      JLauren Angelposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You clearly missed the point of the question. Perhaps you should read, rather than assume.

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      Kiss andTalesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I read not assumed anything when you just say poor people,
      That is not correct,  rich people can be effected the same way.
      And besides what do you call rich, in numbers , what do you call poor in numbers, so that is an assumption of who is and not

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6. 59

   JLauren Angelposted 9 years ago

   The answer is quite obvious, its because when you are poor, the charities of the churches kick in and provide the people with free food, free clothing and often free shelter even for a little while. They find help for the sick, offer help for the people recently displaced and offer the sanctuary of "if we help you, you will join us".  I have seen this often in free bible churches, my own Lutheran Church and a few Baptist churches in and around my old home. The Catholic churches lean heavy sometimes on the poor to get new members because they have helped them. It's almost a given with most people living on the street. Sometimes people are awed with a man who may be able to help them because they hold such a prestigious place in the church. It's often perspective, how the person sees the church or authoritative person. Which plays into the Psychological needs of the person.

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   1. 82

      gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      SPOT ON ANALYSIS.  POOR PEOPLE= MORE POWER FOR RELIGIOUS AUTHORITIES!

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7. 72

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   
   
   "The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth".
   "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself."
   "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
   Religion inspires or gives (hope) to those who are at the bottom to believe at some point they will be rewarded for their faith; if not here then in heaven.
   Believing in the adult version of "Santa Claus" makes it easier not {take action}. Lots of women have said:
   "I'm waiting on God to bring me a man."
   In order to win the lottery you have to buy a ticket!
   There is nothing wrong with being spiritual or believing in a higher power. However you don't want to make that a crutch or excuse for {not trying}. Even their bible says: (Faith Without Works Is Dead)
   James 2:14-17
   "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
   If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
   Even so (faith, if it hath not works, is dead), being alone."

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