Quote:
Originally Posted by Hottentot
Which creates a semi-related question:
Can a person by his/her own reasoning become a supporter of what authorities say? Because it seems that whenever people are being called to think for themselves, it also includes the implication of disagreeing with the authorities. I for one agree with quite many things that my country's authorities do and say, while disagreeing with others. Am I a brainwashed sheep?
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Agreeing with specific government policies represents brainwashing no more than disagreeing with them. The danger becomes apparent when the speaker or writer agrees (or disagrees) with all stated policies across the board seemingly without analyzing each one. Many party-liners in America do exactly that. If you're a Conservative you hate gays, abortion, any kind of social welfare and of course any government spending. If you're a Liberal you believe that the Government is the answer to every problem man can have. Of course there are huge numbers of people who don't agree with every policy but support the party that mostly agrees with them.
Blindly following anything without question is dangerous, and that includes the concept of hating the party in power, or government in general, so much that you condemn anyone who agrees with any policy put forth by that party.
So no, you're not brainwashed because you agree with some policy or other, but there are people who will tell you you are. Are they brainwashed? Possibly. I'd say you have to worry about the ones who are all one or the other. Anybody who actually thinks for himself will never be that absolute, or convinced he's right all the time.