Cognitive dissonance

[God of Mr. Hanky]

Wait... you're suggesting faith based views could cause less cognitive dissonance? I'm not following how that could work. Could you please explain?

I already tried to, but let me try again.

I think the most flawed aspects of many people's world view is the sense that the self lives forever (you can say you won't, but can you really ever let it sink in?), and that important people will be there forever.  Keep in mind, I'm not talking about what people say they believe, but more about how ideas about self and family fit into the big picture of one's world view.

When a parent dies, it's something like a god dying-- it can have a huge impact on somebody.  BUT I think that religious people are likely to adapt more easily and quickly, since their loved one isn't "really" dead, what with them being in Heaven and all.  As for one's child dying-- I mean, Jesus fucking Christ that's hard for anyone.  But if you really believe that little Sally is in Heaven, and that you'll meet her again someday and give her a big hug, that's going to reduce that dissonance.  Such a person can get on with life, go back to work, seek support in church to keep their world view intact, and possibly avoid a mental breakdown.

By the way, I'd say the stages of grieving that everybody knows about are really different levels of cognitive dissonance.

I lost my wife 15 years ago, who died much too young and much too soon after we had married, but still we were soul mates for long enough that my mourning period was long and intense (it's also something which never, in truth really ends). It also has nothing to do with anything cognitive, it's a phased emotional adjustment, as the emotions catch up with the cognitive mind and learn to cope with it.

I find it particularly offensive how you suggest church involvement and Xtard teachings to be helpful for those who have suffered a loss. They aren't only false, they can be particularly harmful to one who is struggling to deal with an actual reality. Being that they are offered by particularly ignorant people, they can be seriously damaging - I was particularly disgusted when when I followed a lead to grieving program which was offered by the local Catholic diocese. I was a bit shocked to be met with an application process and interview, and unfortunately I answered question honestly on my mental health. How crazy am I? How crazy are people with mild autism (Asperger's Syndrome) really thought to be by intelligent people since 10 years before 2001? The diagnosis was by a professional, but I have since come to doubt it, I hardly presented myself as unstable in anyway, and yet that snooty old Catholic cunt rejected me for that reason alone. Oh, but then maybe she also had decided that a widower shouldn't be 34 years old, and didn't want whatever evil I may bring in with that. Now that professional grief counselors exist, leave it to the pros, folks!