Dennis Muses: Cognitive Dissonance: A Church of God Malady

"In psychology, cognitive dissonance is the excessive mental stress and discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, and/or values at the same time. This stress and discomfort may also arise within an individual who holds a belief and performs a contradictory action or reaction."

Leon Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance focuses on how humans strive for internal consistency. When inconsistency (dissonance) is experienced, individuals largely become psychologically distressed. His basic hypotheses are listed below:

1. "The existence of dissonance, being psychologically uncomfortable, will motivate the person to try to reduce the dissonance and achieve consonance"
2. "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" 

"Humans are not a rational animal, but a rationalizing one" -Leon Festinger

Sound Familiar?

"If you read last week’s announcement you know we hold no doubt that God’s prophecy in Haggai and Zechariah is still very much “on.” This announcement explains additional expansive elements of the Haggai/Zechariah prophecy that none of us had yet understood. In fact, what you will read this week and next time may help you understand why more time was needed for us to prepare for God’s fulfillment of the prophecy. This included understanding more of what was going to happen. As mentioned in previous announcements, this one will OPEN YOUR EYES to things God has long intended to do with His end-time Church and Work.

God’s Word is crystal clear!"

Apostle David C Packstrong--Awesome Knowledge and a Great Parallel

"Dissonance is aroused when people are confronted with information that is inconsistent with their beliefs. If the dissonance is not reduced by changing one's belief, the dissonance can result in restoring consonance through misperception, rejection or refutation of the information, seeking support from others who share the beliefs, and attempting to persuade others.

An early version of cognitive dissonance theory appeared in Leon Festinger's 1956 book, When Prophecy Fails. This book gives an account of the deepening of cult members' faith following the failure of a cult's prophecy that a UFO landing was imminent. The believers met at a pre-determined place and time, believing they alone would survive the Earth's destruction. The appointed time came and passed without incident. They faced acute cognitive dissonance: had they been the victim of a hoax? Had they donated their worldly possessions in vain? Most members chose to believe something less dissonant to resolve reality not meeting their expectations: they believed that the aliens had given Earth a second chance, and the group was now empowered to spread the word that earth-spoiling must stop. The group dramatically increased their proselytism despite the failed prophecy."

Wikipedia--Cognitive dissonance

Flailing Bob Thiel Indignant Over Those Who Share Valentines

Bob Thiel is at it again, flailing away, as he reads from his laptop.  A laptop that is bigger than his head and blocks the people sitting in his garage church from seeing his face.  I can only imagine what it is like sitting there and seeing a pair of hands flailing about from the side of the laptop as his head is hidden.

That laptop is a great indicator that Thiel is ineptly unprepared to discuss things that he claims to know so much about.  Most of his videos and so-called sermons are of him reading from his lap top.   A well planned sermon does not require a laptop, 11th Edition Encyclopedia Britannica, or the use of 110 Bible verses to get a point across.

One of his greatest proofs against Valentines Day is that the Muslims don't keep it and they consider it pagan.  Thiel never speaks about about many of the immoral things that Islam teaches.  He never speaks out against Christians being beheaded and slaughtered by Muslims around the world because in his eyes these people are not REAL Christians like he is.  He never speaks out against the young girls being mutilated with female circumcision.  None of that bothers him as long as they support his view on things "pagan."

Thiel also uses a Dear Abbey letter from a woman complaining that her boyfriend ignores her on Valentines Day.  Thiel thinks this is a good and appropriate thing that this guy does to the woman and is ecstatic that Dear Abbey says that the day has pagan roots.

February 10, 2014

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I have been together for 2 1/2 years, living together for two. He says Valentine’s Day is a made-up holiday to get people to spend money. I told him every holiday is geared toward people spending money.I find myself feeling angry and hurt that I’m not receiving anything for Valentine’s Day. He never buys cards or flowers for me. How do I communicate to him that this is important to me without making things worse? — CRAVING A LITTLE ROMANCE

DEAR CRAVING: Your boyfriend may be cheap, but he also has a point. According to a report on npr.org, the celebration of Valentine’s Day started in ancient Rome and contains elements of both Christian and pre-Christian religions. In the third century A.D., two men named Valentine were executed by the emperor Claudius II in different years on Feb. 14, and a few hundred years later, a pope (Gelasius I) combined St. Valentine’s Day with Lupercalia — a fertility feast — to replace the pagan ritual. (Research this online if you wish, because I found it fascinating.) The holiday didn’t become romanticized until the Renaissance.

That said, allow me to point out that there are few things more unpleasant than feeling forced to give someone a gift.

Theil then goes on to say that the woman is filled with LUST because she wants a card or some flowers or to even be acknowledged.

Her lust for the things of the world is not Christian.

He then proceeds to spit out scriptures in his usual vitriolic way:

Valentine’s Day has pagan origins with direct ties to idolatry.  All who profess Christ should consider what the Bible teaches about such practices:

29 When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, 30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ 31 “You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. 32 Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it (Deuteronomy 12:29-32, NKJV).

Thiel never speaks out with righteous indignation about homelessness in his own community.  He never goes out to help work in the neighborhood soup kitchen with other so-called Christians where he could be such an amazing light that everyone would convert to his religion. He is not worried about children being slaughtered in Syria.  These things don't bother him, but buy a card or some flowers does.  Thiel is yet another reminder on why Armstrongism has no power or worth any more.

Larry Gott, HWA's Grandson Talks About Being Related to HWA and the Incest Controversy

 


From the Secular Safe House blog by Troy Fitzgerald

Larry is the grandson of Herbert W. Armstrong, the founder of the cult/church, the Worldwide Church of God. He is the eldest child of Herbert’s eldest daughter, Beverly. He attended church until his parents were disfellowshipped when he was 13. He attended the church’s Ambassador College when he was 29 even though he was still not a member of the church.



Larry shares what it was like growing up as the grandson of the cult founder, including what his grandfather compelled his parents to do when he became ill at the age of 3 — force him to go without food for 12 days.

He discusses what lead to his parents being disfellowshipped from the church by his grandfather and how that impacted his family. He shares about his mom’s return to the employ of the church as Herbert’s social secretary though she did not return to the church or attend services; Larry’s enrollment in the church’s college, Ambassador, when he was 29 even though not a member of the church (something that was almost unheard of in the church); his world travels with his grandfather on the church’s private jet; and the evolution of his views about religion.

Finally, Larry discusses his view and the family’s views about the allegations that his grandfather, Herbert, committed incest with his youngest daughter, Dorothy (Larry’s aunt) and his general views about the personality and character of his grandfather and whether he was qualified — according to his own Biblical teachings — to be considered “God’s apostle on earth” or even a minister of Jesus Christ.

Listen to Larry Gott's interesting story here.

NOTE: The audio quality of this podcast is less than ideal due to technical issues that could not be overcome at the time. With some volume adjustments along the way, it is still audible and worth listening to, especially if you have any association with the WCG.

Larry also has a personal YouTube channel where he talks about life, losing religion and politics.  It can be found here.