Originally posted by Proper Knob
I don't think you quite understand what indoctrination means.
Let me give you a sample of what I am talking about. Not to long ago within the scientific community a scientist made a claim that he thought that ulcers were the result of bacteria in the stomach. At first the man was lambasted and raked over the coals for challenging the accepted notion that bacteria simply could not survive in such a hostile environment. This is the result of indoctrination. Granted, the scientific community slowly came around as some dared question the status quo. However, keep in mind that there were no political nor spiritual forces that influenced such indoctrination, rather, it was simply a matter of personal pride that seem to have been at stake. Now lets consider other challenged scientific notions that do have political and/or spiritual implications. Lets consider those who challenge evolution. Have you ever seen the movie "Expelled"? Those who challenge evolution do not only attempt to bruise egos, they challenge a secular humisitic notion that there is no God. As a result, there are very high stakes indeed for defending the status quo at any price. After all, their enitire world view is being challenged, not just a scientific theory. Another example is global warming. Ever hear of climatgate? There is evidence out there to suggest much of what we have accepted regarding global warming should be quesitoned. However, there are huge political implications at stake. Governments around the world have already adopted cap and trade bringing in huge amounts of money to be used at government discretion. As a result, if you are a scientist and wish to challenge such scientific theories, you are in a fight of your life against the powers that be and Big Brother as well as the entrinched scientific status quo.
So basically what I am saying is that we all have beliefs systems in place for whatever reason. They are belief systems because some things simply cannot be proved or not proved such as the belief in God. What you then must do is choose one belief system so that other data can be processed rationally. You then begin to form other belief systems thus building and reinforcing your original belief system. As a result, the more you build the more investment you have in your original belief system and the more it behooves you to defend those foundation blocks at all costs. If not, the destruction of the original belief system might mean anhiliation of your previous work and thought. In short, it would be like starting over and who likes to do that? This goes for the scientist who has devoted his life to one scientific theory who owes his livelyhood to that belief or perhaps the theologian who can say the same thing.