Critiquing: They’re Only Christians Because They Were Indoctrinated at a Young Age

October 5, 2023 | #STRask – Stand to Reason

Claims of indoctrination — Pregnancy as God’s plan — Marking texts — Bible as living text — Cultural beliefs

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Introduction

The content addresses various questions about Christianity, focusing on claims of indoctrination, interpreting personal life events as part of divine plans, marking texts, and the concept of the Bible as a living text. The analysis here evaluates the logical coherence of these discussions, identifying unsubstantiated claims, logical inconsistencies, and fallacies.

1. Indoctrination of Young Christians

The discussion opens with a claim that “over 60% of American Christians came to their faith between the ages of 4 and 14” and questions whether this is due to indoctrination by parents and churches.

“I object to the term indoctrinate, alright, because it’s a pejorative term that what you’re doing is kind of grilling them in some way so that they believe falsehoods that are harmful or something like that.”

Outline and Explanation:

• Definition and Perception: The objection to the term indoctrinate is based on its negative connotation. However, the discussion fails to provide a clear, neutral definition of indoctrination.
• Universal Application: The claim that everyone indoctrinates (parents, the left, the middle) dilutes the argument without addressing the core concern about the impact on young minds.
• Cultural Relativism: The argument that cultural influence on beliefs (e.g., Christian in America, Muslim in Saudi Arabia) doesn’t determine the truth of these beliefs is valid but incomplete.

Logical Inconsistencies:

• Equivocation: Equating teaching (neutral) with indoctrination (negative) without addressing the inherent difference.
• Red Herring: Shifting focus from whether indoctrination happens to whether it affects the truthfulness of beliefs, thereby avoiding the main issue.

2. Pregnancy Out of Wedlock as God’s Plan

A query about responding to someone who claims their pregnancy out of wedlock is “just God’s plan” is addressed:

“I don’t want to agree that God purposefully planned for them to commit sin, but I also don’t want to intentionally disparage the child because a child is a blessing from God.”

Outline and Explanation:

• Distinction Between Actions and Outcomes: The speaker distinguishes between sinful actions and positive outcomes, suggesting that God can bring good from sinful actions.
• Interpretation of Divine Plan: The assertion that a pregnancy is part of God’s plan without condoning the preceding actions.

Logical Inconsistencies:

• Post Hoc Rationalization: The justification of outcomes (a child’s birth) as inherently good without addressing the moral and ethical implications of the actions leading to the outcome.
• Ambiguity: Lack of clarity on what constitutes “God’s plan” and how one discerns it, leading to potential subjective interpretations.

3. Marking Texts

The discussion shifts to methods of marking texts, particularly religious ones, and whether one should underline or highlight text in a book:

“Do you ever underline or highlight text in a book you’re reading, or do you always use pencil to allow for changes?”

Outline and Explanation:

• Method Preference: The preference for using pencil over markers to allow for changes and avoid permanent alterations to texts.
• Practicality and Flexibility: Emphasis on practical reasons for marking texts, such as facilitating easier reading and note-taking.

Logical Coherence:

• This section is straightforward and practical, with no significant logical inconsistencies.

4. The Bible as a Living Text

A question about the Bible being described as a living book where one always finds something new is discussed:

“When we say that the text is living, I mean, we have to qualify what that means… The meaning is in the subjective experience of the reader.”

Outline and Explanation:

• Subjectivity in Interpretation: The notion that the Bible’s “living” nature implies it has different meanings for different people based on their subjective experiences.
• Consistency and Transformation: The idea that the Bible’s transformative power is consistent but can be subjectively experienced differently by individuals.

Logical Inconsistencies:

• Ambiguity: The term living text is ambiguous and can lead to varied interpretations, potentially undermining the consistency of the text’s message.
• Relativism: Suggesting that the Bible’s meaning changes with the reader’s experience could lead to a relativistic view of its teachings, conflicting with the idea of absolute truths.

5. Cultural Influence on Beliefs

The argument that cultural upbringing (e.g., being raised in a Christian home in America) influences religious beliefs without determining their truthfulness is reiterated:

“If you were in India or in Arabia or something, you wouldn’t be a Christian. You would be raised in a Muslim home or a Hindu home and therefore you would be Muslim or Hindu.”

Outline and Explanation:

• Cultural Determinism: The recognition that cultural context significantly influences religious beliefs.
• Truth Independent of Culture: Emphasizing that cultural influences do not determine the truth value of the beliefs themselves.

Logical Coherence:

• This point is logically consistent, acknowledging cultural influences without conflating them with truth claims.

Unsubstantiated and Dubious Claims

• Unsubstantiated Claims: The content makes several assertions without evidence, such as the nature of God’s plan and the specific transformative power of the Bible.
• Dubious Claims: The idea that indoctrination is merely teaching and that all teaching is indoctrination is dubious and needs more rigorous substantiation.

Obligation to Substantiate Claims

• Rational Inquiry: There is an obligation to substantiate claims, especially those that have significant implications, such as religious doctrines and their impact on individuals.
• Testing Promises: Alleged promises of God can be tested through their consistency, empirical evidence, and logical coherence.

Conclusion

The content presents various arguments and assertions about Christianity, cultural influence, and personal beliefs. While some points are logically coherent, others suffer from logical fallacies and unsubstantiated claims. It is essential to map one’s degree of belief to the degree of the available evidence, ensuring that claims are substantiated and logically consistent.

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