by sabastious 16 Replies latest watchtower bible
It is impossible to believe that obeying the Governing Body means everlasting life and at the same time believe "do not put your trusts in nobles nor in the sons of men to whom no salvation belongs". (Psalm 146:3)
In the same way it is wrong to turn a deaf ear to reason and believe this at the same time; Proverbs 3:5 "do not lean on your own understanding".
"The discomfort felt by the poster and parents when statistics published by the wt itself contradicted belief in the effectiveness of the preaching work is a classic CD symptom."
The discomfort felt by the poster is a classic example of ignorance with regards the actual purpose of the preaching work. And that just goes along with what Teary mentioned about CD not needing to be grounded in any actual logic or facts.
From the OP:
Likewise I felt equal discomfort in our seemingly vain efforts in India where our Witness to citizen ratio was in the millions
Teary asserts:
The discomfort felt by the poster is a classic example of ignorance with regards the actual purpose of the preaching work
So, you see no reason for discomfort with an ineffective ministry that will condemn millions to die "Soon" (if you believe that way, of course)
And that just goes along with what Teary mentioned about CD not needing to be grounded in any actual logic or facts
As I posted earlier, that's waffle, fast heading off topic.
The point is Rev 7:9 and the last sentence:
Even a small child would be able to see the contradiction of any group claiming this "title". That's how it works to be raised in the Organization. You get a case of perpetual cognitive dissonance that haunts your mind until who knows how long
It is indeed very hard to imagine any group claiming this title, especially such a very recent group.
Could your attempts to herd the discussion into off topic generalities be caused by CD?
Is a rare thing that only effects this one tiny group of individuals that call themselves "Witnesses," or can it crop up in all kinds of places that we wouldn't normally associate CD with?
Good question, and I have the perfect example.
The American Dream (same for Canadians as it is for Yanks) is one big ole CD trip. YES, we are all equal and can achieve anything we want.. and YES, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
Our culture, in general, is affected by CD.
t
*recent new member of the cynics' club* class
The curious thing about 'cognitive dissonace' (if it even exists, which Teary still debates with himself about), is that you can't really KNOW that you have it while you have it -- you can only know you had it or didn't have it in retrospect.
Interesting . . . we can have Cognitive Dissonance even about the existence of Cognitive Dissonance it would seem.
But the statement is largely true . . .
Two elements that combat CD are intellectual honesty based on provable facts, and a willingness to allow for the unknown. Belief needs to accommodate both . . . but seldom does.
The "retrospective" viewpoint can only come when these two elements are present.
The mechanisms involved are well described in "Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)" by Carol Tavris. I recommend reading it.
A number of comments on this thread prove unmistakeably that CD is alive and well.
Whenever we feel the need to "qualify" or "justify" ourselves when questioned, without actually addressing the question itself . . . the CD drum is beating out it's tune. The quickest way to do it . . . is to tell the questioner he doesn't understand.
Cognitive dissonance can be useful if you learn to recognize it in yourself whenever it occurs. If you understand the concept of cognitive dissonance then you can avoid (or at least minimize) the irrational justifications that humans usually employ to reduce it.
I second the recommendation of "Mistakes Were Made (but not by me)" and would add "Influence: the Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini and "When Prophecy Fails" by Leon Festinger to the reading list.
The curious thing about 'cognitive dissonace' (if it even exists, which Teary still debates with himself about)
If you've ever had Deja Vu you have had cognitive dissonance. Believing, even for an instant, that you have been somewhere you could not have been before will always feel uncomfortable. That discomfort is bioloically explained through cognitive dissonance. The brain is hard wired to solve cognitive conflicts at all costs even if it means believing a lie or bending the truth. Within the brain things cannot not make sense, that's called losing one's mind.
Unfortunately men like Judge Rutherford misused science developed by Sigmund Freud, for benevolent purposes, and used it to grow an army of mind controlled drones. Cognitive dissonance is not merely a reality, but a reality that can be used as a powerful instrument of coercion.
-Sab
