Cognitive dissonance

[God of Mr. Hanky]

Cognitive (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cognitive) + dissonance (opposite of harmony). Most religious people can't even correctly define "atheism", and this isn't necessarily psychological. They come here just to argue their alleged superiority relative to the atheist condition, and that is their cognitive dissonance with our cognition, when that phrase is properly defined according to its linguistic roots. Leon Whoever may be considered right by psychologists, but it's a valid argument that maybe you should not twist the definitions of existing linguistics when you seek a term for a new concept to discuss.

[Angrboda]

Okay. Just put the pipe down, and back away slowly.

[God of Mr. Hanky]

But I'm having such an enjoyable smoke! There's nothing like a good pipe tobacco and the right beer. Or almost any coffee!

[robvalue]

I've been trying to think of whether I've ever been subject to these contradictory beliefs myself.

I can only think of one example that happened while my mind was healthy. I was trying to hold two beliefs at once which were inconsistent, and my mind didn't like it. Something had to give, and eventually I admitted one of the beliefs was bogus and discarded it.

Since I've been depressed, contradictory beliefs spring up from everywhere. But I can now quite easily identify which are irrational, depressive thoughts and which are evidence-based, sensible ones. Once I've made the distinction, the conflict is sorted out and the irrational one is discarded. The same irrational belief will come back time and again though, looking to overwhelm my logic with emotional manipulation. When I'm at my worst, and most vulnerable, my depression chooses that time to strike and plant all these false ideas.

Rather like a vulture theist who descends on a new and bewildered atheist...

[The Grand Nudger]

It;s hard to imagine that there's anyone who hasn't felt the effect of dissonance at least once in their lives.  We'd be talking about a person who was either never wrong, or never realized they were wrong, about anything...or a person who, when told something contradictory to their previous position, abandoned everything they thought true the moment before immediately and on a whim..or just forgot they'd ever heard it.

That moment, for example...when you realized that "life wasn't fair" for the first time...as you exited childhood.  That feeling you got when the man/woman you just -knew- loved you and was going to be faithful forever smelled like sex when you hadn't had any in a week......  etc etc etc.

[robvalue]

You're right, I've probably felt it far more than I can remember. My memory is especially unreliable anyway.

[The Grand Nudger]

You know, if we remembered every dissonant moment, the weight would probably crush us.  I'm glad I've forgotten more indignities and painful realizations than I'll ever remember.  Forgetting is, itself, a way to reduce or eliminate dissonance.  Our forgetful minds may be a feature, rather than a bug. So I guess there's always that to console ourselves with, hehe.

[bennyboy]

Cognitive (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cognitive) + dissonance (opposite of harmony). Most religious people can't even correctly define "atheism", and this isn't necessarily psychological. They come here just to argue their alleged superiority relative to the atheist condition, and that is their cognitive dissonance with our cognition, when that phrase is properly defined according to its linguistic roots. Leon Whoever may be considered right by psychologists, but it's a valid argument that maybe you should not twist the definitions of existing linguistics when you seek a term for a new concept to discuss.

The joy of being the first to combine words in a particular way is that you get to tell people what you mean by combining them in that way.  You wouldn't argue that a "heart attack" is when a human organ mugs someone in a back alley, because you know what "heart attack" means.  Nor would you claim that an "expiry date" is a social engagement that you have when something expires, because you know what an "expiry date" is.

If someone who didn't know what those combinations of words meant argued that their meaning was fine, and you were just being a snob in attempting to make them mean what you want them to, that you were "twisting the definitions of existing linguistics" what would you say?  You'd likely say something like, "Shut up.  You didn't know the words.  You've been told what they mean.  Now, let it go."

So shut up.  You didn't know the words.  You've been told what they mean.  Now, let it go.

[robvalue]

You know, if we remembered every dissonant moment, the weight would probably crush us.  I'm glad I've forgotten more indignities and painful realizations than I'll ever remember.  Forgetting is, itself, a way to reduce or eliminate dissonance.  Our forgetful minds may be a feature, rather than a bug. So I guess there's always that to console ourselves with, hehe.

Oh yes, I agree. Forgetting, or just "blocking off" can certainly be a coping mechanism; one that's done for us without us realising it. Our brain has to keep us going, and you're right, if you were always remembering every screwed up thing you'd be unable to function.

[AJW333]

I'd like to offer an explanation for this one;

3A) God knows everything we're going do to, before we do it, because he knows everything.

3B) We are free to make genuine choices.

Let's say I had a mouse that could find its way to the centre of a maze where there was a piece of cheese. I could observe that mouse make free-will decisions to turn left or right as he goes. Now even though I know exactly which way he will turn, I am in no way interfering with his free will.