Do you believe there is something in religious teachings, mainly referring to the Abrahamic faiths, which allows their followers to be more susceptible to being manipulated than non-believers?
I'm talking about what is written. A passage we can look at and say this teaching makes it easier for others to manipulate the followers of this religion to for example commit violent acts.
Or is it possible the culture that has developed around a particular faith makes a follower more susceptible to manipulation?
Or nothing about their belief makes them any more susceptible to manipulation than anyone else. For example, an atheist is as likely to be manipulated into committing a violent act as anyone else.
A fourth possibility is that people who commit violent acts are aberrations. People who by their nature are violent and any violence attributed to them would happen regardless of their religious belief or lack thereof?
Can religion cause people to act, violently for example, which otherwise, without their religious beliefs, they would not do so?
I'm asking why you feel that way and what evidence you have, if any, to support your feelings.
You are right. There are many many factors. Let's go over a few.
Religious people are taught to value Beliefs over all else. They are taught to Accept not question. They are taught to Follow rather than choose their own path. This sets up a condition where thinking is not required. It's easy to manipulate a person that does not think.
An atheist seems to question more so would be harder to manipulate. On the other hand, they too have been manipulated by religion into valuing their belief that God does not exist which could result in a narrow view.
Religion and many parents have been teaching people to value beliefs for a very long time. I would say most have been influenced or corrupted in some way.
Next, religion sets up a we are good: they are bad situation. Many want to be important. Many want to be good. If they are rotten, we are good, special, and loved for it. Some would do anything to sustain that view of goodness. If they recite, follow, and hold onto those beliefs others say make them good, they will feel good about themselves. Would you do anything to be Special??
This world is about learning and growing as people. Many have not learned that it is not right to hate, kill or hurt others. When one thinks one has God's backing, one can justify anything and will act.
Some are on a quest for power. Everybody wants to rule the world. What better way to get power than acquire an army of followers willing to follow? What better way than to convince others it's what God wants. Would you do anything for God? All one has to do is be convinced one is really doing goodness. How many armies have been told they are on a mission from God? Wouldn't those on that mission be Special??
I guess it all comes down to the petty things mankind holds so dear. Things like Judging, Hating, Controlling, Intimidating, Coercing. Manipulating, Greed, Being Self Centered, Selfish, Power Hungry, Uncaring, Heartless, and the list goes on and on.
Are these petty things really the way to a Higher Level?? In a multilevel classroom, one will see others learning lessons around those petty things that we have already learned. Those petty choices will bring hard lessons that will point them toward a Higher Level.
For those of us who must watch, it is just a reminder of what the best choices really are. This is no time to hate. It's time to copy God by placing Truth all around them and pointing them in the right direction.
That's what I see. It's very clear!!