Cognitive dissonance

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Cognitive dissonance is the mental stress experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs. It is the mental chaos and conflict in the minds of those who wants to believe something is not true as if it is true and being ready to simultaneously reverse their position when needed. This Chaos and conflict of the mind if continuously denied may eventually erupt in the physiology of those who defend it.
Human beings are generally reluctant to accept any uncomfortable fact. The theory of cognitive dissonance through a "psychology of denial" grows in the "shadow self". When ego and personal comfort becomes more important than the truth putting yourself before others will compels us on a "journey into darkness".[1] If you repent and start caring about others as much as yourself following Christ and His way the truth will set you free.[2]


Cognitive dissonance

Cognitive dissonance, in psychology, is the mental stress experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time. This stress may also arise within an individual who holds a belief and performs a contradictory action.

One example is when a person knows smoking is harmful but continues to do it.

"The existence of dissonance, being psychologically uncomfortable, will motivate the person to try to reduce the dissonance and achieve consonance."

One tactic that is used includes avoidance or denial of some truth, or belief. More dramatic denial could include the rejection of a memory of a traumatic nature that produces discomfort or feelings of relived stress.

"When dissonance is present, in addition to trying to reduce it, the person will actively avoid situations and information which would likely increase the dissonance."

Any other memory or idea or belief or even a person, place, or thing that is associated with the traumatic event may also be rejected or suppressed.

Not only does the mind develop a habit of denial when people attempt to blot out the stress or the pain of it with a variety of actions or addictions. Some of these addictions may have less or greater side effects.

Music, movies, mind-altering drugs, alcohol, tobacco, food, judgment or numerous other things will be used by people who claim or feel that it helps them "deal with stress".

The reason they reach for these outside things is to avoid dealing with the internal stress and the cause of it.

People may typically try to fill the void created by denial and the enhancement of the shadow self with numerous indulgence and compromises like Enmeshment of their life with others which leads to trauma.

The refusal to come to peace with the past trauma may drag the event into the present where the denial will effect observations, perceptions, and choices in a narrow, negative, or restrictive manner.

The inconsistencies in perception can lead to bad choice which may even be destructive to our relationships and even to ourselves. They may compound themselves in self destructive behavior if left unresolved.

Obvious manifestation may come in the form of phobias, or spontaneous anxiety that is seemingly unreasonable generated. More subtle effects of this internal denial is the avoidance of people, places, or activities while at the same time being drawn to others.

In relationships you may be drawn to certain types of people or avoid certain conversations concerning topics that may or may not seem to be related to the original trauma. This choice or habit of avoidance or denial may unknowingly sabotage relationships especially if the friend or family member has problems, phobias, compulsive behaviors also.

We simply become less capable of dealing with present stresses because of unresolved issues with stress of the past. Symptoms of this internal conflict may include mood everything from temporary mood swings to severe depression and may be reduced or enhanced by a variety of conditions or circumstances.

Resolution

There are several things that should be considered in overcoming the ill effects of these symptoms which we may experience as depression and anxiety disorders, including paranoia, phobias, PTSD, panic attacks, and even obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD).

The human mind and body are complex interactive institutions of creation which must function in the world and society adding additional layers of complexity. But there are some common basics, fundamental characteristics, and general principals that may aid anyone in a quest for resolution and an ultimate relief.

An ultimate relief is not a relief from the symptom but a resolution of the cause in the sense of an unraveling and rectification through a disentanglement which leads to a truthful clarification and conclusion.

Seeking groups, conventions, or crowds of people who will think like you and assure you that you are okay despite the stress you have can create an addictive dependence. Because of the conflict between what you want to believe is true and what you are doing is causing you more stress, you will seek anything that might give you relief without consideration of the potential side effects.

Cognitive dissonance, in psychology, is the mental stress that results from internal hypocrisy which is defined as "the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense."

Another example is when people continue to sin but want to believe they are saved from sin. This would mean that most churches promote the continuation of Cognitive dissonance by seeking to make people comfortable with their common hypocrisy

There is a cognitive dissidence in modern religions because they want to believe they are "saved" or "blessed" or "accepted".

It is simply not righteous or a Christ thing to do to send men to your neighbor's house and force your neighbor to contribute because you have no coat or need healthcare or want free education for your children. It is not loving your neighbor. It is coveting your neighbor's life and goods.

Such activities will make you a human resource or, as Peter calls it, merchandise. What should have been for your welfare will become a snare… as Paul and David wrote.

The fact is people are under a strong delusion. They often imagine they are saved and born again while they are not doing what Christ said. It is not loving your neighbor as Moses and Jesus said but coveting as was forbidden by most religions.

Yet, religious people today seek the benefits of those gods of the world and apply for benefits from men who call themselves benefactors but exercise authority by taking from their neighbor to provide those benefits.

To desire those benefits at the expense of your neighbor, rich or poor, is the definition of coveting. This desire and hunger for security and benefits at the expense of others creates a cognitive dissonance.

Solutions and Therapy

Some social psychologists have argued that the act of freely choosing a specific therapy, together with the effort and money invested by the client in order to continue to engage in the chosen therapy, "positively influences the effectiveness of therapy."[3]

Neuro-linguistic programming or NLP is a way of changing someone's thoughts and behaviors to help achieve desired outcomes for them. It has become popular and widespread since the 1970s. Simply put it is a psychological approach that involves analyzing strategies used by individuals relating to thoughts, language, and patterns of behavior learned through experience or practices to achieve certain specific outcomes or goals. It is client oriented.

Cognitive therapy and behavior therapy, when packaged together, are often termed Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders, and even severe mental illness.

Both of these therapies are about changing the mind or the way we think which is what repentance is also about.

What in the Bible might relate to these therapies?

Some say that Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 10:4 - 5 are supportive texts for the cognitive-behavioral approach. There is much more that might be considered as coaching us to alter our patterns of thought. John 8:44); if our minds are not firmly grounded in truth, then we are more susceptible to his deceptions.[4]

When an individual has a right and exercises a right to act on their own behalf or the behalf of others the result is a release from the compulsion caused by cognitive dissonance.

While there is evidence that continuous conflict will have effects on the brain itself, there is no doubt that cognitive dissonance will influence an individual's attitude and behavior.

There are numerous theories that challenge cognitive dissonance like Bem's Self-perception theory, Heider's Balance theory, Cost-benefit analysis and Self-discrepancy or Averse consequences theory.

All these are modern scientist's own term of cognitive dissonance seem to give credence to the fact that the selfish nature of man, which may be the source of all the problems of society can only be overcome with a consistent therapeutic practice of unselfish investment in the future and forgiveness. The idea of forgiving was taught by Christ and all the prophets. Forgiveness requires that at the very least we sacrifice judgement and the desire to judge found in the warnings of Christ and the apostles.

The only way to test forgiveness is through freewill sacrifice called charity with little hope of direct return. We see this principle expressed in the modern "pay it forward"[5] movement to "Cast thy bread upon the waters" directive of Ecclesiastes.[6]

The birth of the lie


or Download Freedom of Religion and the free exercise


or Download Freedom of Religion and the free exercise

"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:" 2 Thessalonians 2:11


"Most people do not have a problem with you thinking for yourself, as long as your conclusions are the same as or at least compatible with their beliefs." Mokokoma Mokhonoana

How can people observe the same events and come to opposing conclusions about what is happening, their significance and their likely effect?

It could be because of inadequate observation, ignorance of how things work, or it could be cognitive dissonance. All of these have to do with the eye of the beholder.

The term cognitive dissonance is used to describe the mental discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes. This conflict causes feelings of uneasiness, discomfort or even pain because of mental stress, through which high levels of dissonance put us at risk for anxiety and depression or other fear based disorders like peranoia, phobia, or PTSD.

All of these disorders have at least one common denomenator which is denial.

What is it we are unwilling to see that keeps us prisoners of our thinking? Be

Because our mind and body are an interdependent unit of life these conflicts can also contribute to physical illness.

The term cognitive dissonance developed in the 1950s by American social psychologist, Dr. Leon Festinger.

"Cognitive dissonance, the mental conflict that occurs when beliefs or assumptions are contradicted by new information. The unease or tension that the conflict arouses in people is relieved by one of several defensive maneuvers: they reject, explain away, or avoid the new information; persuade themselves that no conflict really exists; reconcile the differences; or resort to any other defensive means of preserving stability or order in their conceptions of the world and of themselves." [7]


The conflict divides the mind and conquers the soul, "one part of them knows the truth but another part of them is so invested in seeing things a different way that they don't allow themselves to see reality."


Dorothy Martin receiving messages the Planet Clarion predicted on Dec 21, 1957 the world will be destroyed and some will be saved by flying saucers. When it did not happen instead of being embarrassed by their gullible error they wanted to get the story out that they had saved the planet through their faith.

This suggested they would not face the pain of the uncomfortable truth. Their minds were again overcome by the desire to 'make minds comfortable' - to rationalize the inconsistencies.

The one the recording we share the story of The one dollar lie. Vs $20 lie presented by Festinger & Carlsmith in 1959 Lied but was well paid.

Chinese used this in brainwashing technique on Americans during the Korean war.

"Emotional reasoning is the cognitive distortion that happens when we try to justify our emotional reactions using a neat narrative that seems to fit our value system or ideology"

People justify violence (even killing) by demonizing and dehumanizing their victim. Like the teacher who yelled death threats from her car toward people protesting the shutdown during the COVID hysteria.

Dr.Drew Westen PhD, at Emory University in Atlanta Did MRIs scans of the brains of staunch Democrats and staunch Republicans and found a decrease in activity in the reasoning part of the brain when they read damning information about their favorite politician.

It appears that any form of cognitive dissonance stimulates the brain to literally think less.

When there is a discrepancy between your beliefs and your behavior we will often compensate with rational manipulation of facts or their denial.

But learning to be willing to suffer pain and humility of being wrong may be the first step towards real self-knowledge.

The 'self-esteem industry' encourages people to seek relief from cognitive dissonance through rationalization, repetition, denial of our faults and frailties in a sort of personal brainwashing.

Cognitive dissonance is the mental stress experienced by an individual who wants to believe a lie is the truth. Willingness to suffer the pain of seeing the truth comes with the willingness to sacrifice for others. The humble heart is willing to endure the pain of the truth. The loving heart embraces it.



2 Thessalonians 2

1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together[8] unto him,

2 That ye be not soon shaken[9] in mind, or be troubled,[10] neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."

Comments Chapter 2
This warning in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 of being deceived or troubled in the mind is about a conflict while waiting for the day of Christ, the anointing of our hearts and minds as priest faith and not fear[11], is at hand for all of us who continue in the way and gather together as Jesus commanded.
Understanding the Christian conflict with Rome and its government supported Temples, the teachings of God concerning the error in the thinking and practices of the Nicolaitan and Balaam can help us grasp the difference between Pure Religion and public religion which like the Corban of the Pharisees makes the word of God to none effect.
Understanding also the "mystery of iniquity" in verse 6 of who the workers of iniquity are, what the wages of unrighteousness consists of, and the difference between the mammon of righteousness and unrighteousness which includes the praying to the fathers of the earth for our daily bread and our Father in Heaven may challenge our delusions the wantonness and deceivableness of the systems of the world that operate by way of force, fear and fealty and the Kingdom of God that operates by faith, hope and charity through the perfect law of liberty.
Can we refuse to see these differences and the conflict with the covetous practices of modern Christians and the love and charity of the early Christians? If we follow the Modern Church rather than The Way of Christ and the early Church shall we not be made blind?
Download Recording 2 Thessalonian 2 Keys or press play

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery[12] of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power[13] and signs[14] and lying[15] wonders[16],

10 "And with all deceivableness[17] of unrighteousness[18] in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned[19] who believed not the truth, but had pleasure[20] in [[[reward of unrighteousness|unrighteousness]].[18]"

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.


Mind | Mysteries of the Universe‏‎ | Spiritual DNA and Gene Expression |
Cognitive dissonance | Care | Deaths of despair | Heroes |
Repentance | Recovery | Therapies | Meditation |
Bipolar | Capgras | Cotard | Schizophrenia |
Dendritic tree | Mysteries | Mystery Babylon | Eschatology |
Theology | Epistemology | Replacement theology |
Are you crazy | Autism | Depression | Bipolar |
Insane | Trauma | Narcissists | Trolls
Drugged | Vaccines | Health | Aid Addicts | Saul Syndrome |

  1. John 12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
  2. Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
  3. Cooper, J., & Axsom, D. (1982). Integration of clinical and social psychology. Oxford University Press.
  4. James 2:14 and how our beliefs affect our behaviors or our behavior effects our beliefs. While God may love us in our present imperfection (Ephesians 2:1-10; Colossians 2:13; Romans 5:6-8) the effect of that love may cause a different effect. To repent seems to be a part of that "be you perfect" followed by an action word of seek, persevere and strive.
  5. Pay it forward is an expression for describing the beneficiary of a good deed repaying the kindness to others instead of to the original benefactor. The concept is old, but the particular phrase may have been coined by Lily Hardy Hammond in her 1916 book In the Garden of Delight.
  6. Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
  7. https://www.britannica.com/science/cognitive-dissonance
  8. 1997 ~ἐπισυναγωγή~ episunagoge \@ep-ee-soon-ag-o-gay’\@ from 1996; n f AV-gathering together 1, assembling together 1; 2 1) a gathering together in one place 2) the (religious) assembly (of Christians)
  9. 4531 σ αλεύω saleuo [sal-yoo’-o] from 4535; v; TDNT-7:65,996; [{See TDNT 698 }] AV-shake 10, move 1, shake together 1, that are shaken 1, which cannot be shaken + 3361 1, stir up 1; 15
    1) a motion produced by winds, storms, waves, etc
    1a) to agitate or shake
    1b) to cause to totter
    1c) to shake thoroughly, of a measure filled by shaking its contents together
    2) to shake down, overthrow
    2a) to cast down from one’s (secure and happy) state
    2b) to move, agitate the mind, to disturb one
  10. 2360 θροέω throeo [thro-eh’-o] from θρεομαι threomai (to wail); v; AV-trouble 3; 3
    1) to cry aloud, make a noise by outcry
    1a) in the NT, to trouble, frighten
    1b) to be troubled in mind, to be frightened, alarmed
  11. 1 Samuel 2:35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, [that] shall do according to [that] which [is] in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.
  12. 3466 ~μυστήριον~ musterion \@moos-tay’-ree-on\@ from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); n n AV-mystery 27; 27
    1) hidden thing, secret, mystery
    1a) generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals
    1b) a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding
    1c) a hidden purpose or counsel
    1c1) secret will
    1c1a) of men
    1c1b) of God: the secret counsels which govern God in dealing with the righteous, which are hidden from ungodly and wicked men but plain to the godly
    2) in rabbinic writings, it denotes the mystic or hidden sense
    2a) of an OT saying
    2b) of an image or form seen in a vision
    2c) of a dream
    see | Mysteries of the Universe
  13. 1411 ~δύναμις~ dunamis \@doo’-nam-is\@ from 1410 meaning to be able; TDNT-2:284,186; {See TDNT 201} n f AV-power 77, mighty work 11, strength 7, miracle 7, might 4, virtue 3, mighty 2, misc 9; 120
    1) strength power, ability
    1a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
    1b) power for performing miracles
    1c) moral power and excellence of soul
    1d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
    1e) power and resources arising from numbers
    1f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
    For Synonyms see entry 5820
  14. 4592 σημεῖον semeion [say-mi’-on] from a presumed derivative of the base of 4591 semaino the verb to give a sign or to make known; n n; TDNT- 7:200,1015; [{See TDNT 707 }] AV-sign 50, miracle 23, wonder 3, token 1; 77
    1) a sign, mark, token
    1a) that by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others and is known
    1b) a sign, prodigy, portent, i.e. an unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature
    1b1) of signs portending remarkable events soon to happen
    1b2) of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God’s
    • 1411 δύναμις dunamis is also translated miracle 7 times but power 77 times.
  15. 5579 ψεῦδος pseudos [psyoo’-dos] from 5574; n n; TDNT-9:594,1339; [{See TDNT 852 }] AV-lie 7, lying 2; 9
    1) a lie
    2) conscious and intentional falsehood
    3) in a broad sense, whatever is not what it seems to be
    3a) of perverse, impious, deceitful precepts
  16. 5059 τέρας teras [ter’-as] of uncertain affinity; n n; TDNT-8:113,1170; [{See TDNT 788 }] AV-wonder 16; 16
    1) a prodigy, portent
    2) miracle: performed by any one
  17. 539 ~ἀπάτη~ apate \@ap-at’-ay\@ from 538; TDNT-1:385,65; {See TDNT 82} n f AV-deceitfulness 3, deceitful 1, deceit 1, deceivableness 1, deceivings 1; 7
    1) deceit, deceitfulness
  18. 18.0 18.1 93 ~ἀδικία~ adikia \@ad-ee-kee’-ah\@ from 94; TDNT-1:153,22; {See TDNT 23} n f AV-unrighteousness 16, iniquity 6, unjust 2, wrong 1; 25
    1) injustice, of a judge
    2) unrighteousness of heart and life
    3) a deed violating law and justice, act of unrighteousness
  19. 2919 ~κρίνω~ krino \@kree’-no\@ perhaps a primitive word; TDNT-3:921,469; {See TDNT 412} v AV-judge 88, determine 7, condemn 5, go to law 2, call in question 2, esteem 2, misc 8; 114
    1) to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose
    2) to approve, esteem, to prefer
    3) to be of opinion, deem, think, to be of opinion
    4) to determine, resolve, decree
    5) to judge
    5a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong
    5a1) to be judged, i.e. summoned to trial that one’s case may be examined and judgment passed upon it
    5b) to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure
    5b1) of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others
    6) to rule, govern
    6a) to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to passjudgment
    7) to contend together, of warriors and combatants
    7a) to dispute
    7b) in a forensic sense
    7b1) to go to law, have suit at law
  20. 2106 εὐδοκέω eudokeo [yoo-dok-eh’-o] from 2095 and 1380; v; TDNT-2:738,273; [{See TDNT 269 }] AV-be well pleased 7, please 5, have pleasure 4, be willing 2, be (one’s) good pleasure 1, take pleasure 1, think good 1; 21
    1) it seems good to one, is one’s good pleasure
    1a) think it good, choose, determine, decide
    1b) to do willingly
    1c) to be ready to, to prefer, choose rather
    2) to be well pleased with, take pleasure in, to be favourably inclined towards one

Footnotes