"Opus" wrote ...

[...]

I was referring mainly to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and yes I mean
the religion itself and not specific instances.

According to Irving Janis' 8 symptoms, each of the 3 aforementioned
religions manifest these symptoms, so I was wondeing if they could be
considered products of groupthink. I mean, so-called cults are said to be
products of groupthing, so why not major religious organizations?

Janis has documented eight symptoms of groupthink:
1. Illusion of invulnerability -Creates excessive optimism that encourages
taking extreme risks.

In the case of "organized" religion(*), I'd have to say no to this one. IMO
(but willing to admit it if I;m proven wrong) most religions are quite
conservative and risk-averse.

(*) Again, excepting any "cults" or the really whacky suicidal-types.
Although, I suppose that in their belief system, the suicide guarantees some
sort of salvation, therefore obviating any risk, extreme or otherwise.





2. Collective rationalization - Members discount warnings and do not
reconsider their assumptions.

External warnings or internal (i.e. from whatever "holy" text they use?)
Internal warnings millennial events, etc are probably celebrated as
faith- or doctrine- supporting. External warnings, dunno. ?





3. Belief in inherent morality - Members believe in the rightness of their
cause and therefore ignore the ethical or moral consequences of their
decisions.


Absolutely.Almost by very definition.




4. Stereotyped views of out-groups - Negative views of "enemy" make
effective responses to conflict seem unnecessary.

Yep, much like today's political "discourse" is little more than a bunch of
binarily-opposed tropes being flung around like monkey **** at the zoo, I
believe that most religions take the "us v. them" approach. As in, "we're
saved because of X, Y, and/or Z. You, on the other hand, worshippers of the
pagan flying spaghetti monster, are ****ed."





5. Direct pressure on dissenters - Members are under pressure not to
express arguments against any of the group's views.

Oh, yeah... nothing like a threat of eternal damnation to keep the troops in
line.




6. Self-censorship - Doubts and deviations from the perceived group
consensus are not expressed.

I have no evidence, but I'm inclined to say yes on this one.



Illusion of unanimity - The majority view and judgments are assumed to be
unanimous.



7. Illusion of unanimity - The majority view and judgments are assumed
to be unanimous.


Again, I have no evidence (nor research) but I'm inclined to say yes here as
well.



8. Self-appointed 'mindguards' - Members protect the group and the leader
from information that is problematic or contradictory to the group's
cohesiveness, view, and/or decisions


This one's a little more problematic. In many religions, the leader is the
sole disseminator of info to the flock. IMO/IME it's a one-way street with
the flock merely standing, kneeling and spilling cash into the plate as
directed, rather than be involved in any sort of discourse dogma or
ritual. Luther tried. His ass got kicked out.

Again, interesting question. Not one that comes up much in the history
depts. Perhaps it should.

Dan