Using the term "brainwashing" is really not that far fetched of a term for either side of the coin, especially as far as some "religion" is concerned. I grew up catholic as well as my parents and grandparent and so on. I hated going to church. It seemed so redundant and ritualistic and I never got into it. We were told what to pray to repent, we were told who to pray to but not why... there was really no point to any of it. I lived a life of rebellion against such empty prayers and promises.

Many years later I learned what I was never taught before. It is not what God can do for me, but what I can do for God through my faithfulness to His Word. I learned that the wage of our sinful nature is death. I never understood what in the world was so significant about a Christ on the cross. Without that foundation of understanding and faith religion can and will brainwash someone that does not know any better and just goes through the motions. An empty faith in God can be a very dangerous thing. That is why there are so many hypocrites and lunatics out there in the name of religion. They think that it is their words that can change the world by scoffing and hating those around them. I can't blame someone for feeling differently than I do. I just pray that I can make a difference in someone's life by standing out and inspiring rather than demeaning. Not for my glory, but to show what Christ and Christ alone has done in my life and can do for anyone who choses to.