Coherence
is NOT to be forced
Originally published in 2010
PURPOSE
The primary intent of this document is to demonstrate to the
reader how application of the Principle of Coherence can be
perverted through denial. (1)
The Principle of Coherence, as we have shown (2), is a powerful tool to
identify deception but, as we all should know by now,
satan can twist it around – reprogram it, shall we say – to suit his
purposes. It is our hope that the Faithful learn how to identify the
deception so that they may safely use the Principle of Coherence when
it is most needed – now!
BACKGROUND
Let us review what is meant by "coherence". The Principle of Coherence dictates that when
related information comes together, it must make sense and dovetail
perfectly, that is, it must be "coherent". There is "internal
coherence" and "external coherence".
In "internal coherence" all of the components within a given
thought/principle/law/news report must naturally and perfectly dovetail
internally; however, that does not mean that what it professes is
correct. The proof of correctness comes when that internal given thought/principle/law/news
report also dovetails
with reality – the external.
When such match occurs, then we can say that the given
thought/principle/law/news report has "coherence" internal and external.
But when such "dovetailing" is forced, we have entered into the
twilight zone of denial.
DETAILS
There is a psychological phenomena called Cognitive Dissonance. (3)
Cognitive dissonance is an uncomfortable feeling caused by holding
two contradictory ideas simultaneously. The theory of cognitive
dissonance proposes that people have a motivational drive to reduce
dissonance by changing their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, or by
justifying or rationalizing them. It is one of the most influential and
extensively studied theories in social psychology.
Dissonance occurs when a person perceives a logical inconsistency in
their beliefs, when one idea implies the opposite of another. The
dissonance might be experienced as guilt, anger, frustration, or
embarrassment.
When the above mentioned motivational
drive is activated, the dovetailing necessary for complete
internal and external coherence is forced so what was contradictorial –
incoherent, that is – now becomes coherent-like; therefore, the
conclusion and/or reassurance derived from such "coherence" is all but
worthless.
A perfect example of this anomaly – so well exploited by satan – is
when prophecy fails.
An early version of cognitive dissonance theory appeared in Leon
Festinger's 1956 book, When Prophecy
Fails. This book gave an inside account of belief persistence in
members of a UFO doomsday cult, and documented the increased
proselytization they exhibited after the leader's "end of the world"
prophecy failed to come true.
The prediction of the Earth's destruction, supposedly sent by
aliens to the leader of the group, became a disconfirmed expectancy
that caused dissonance between the cognitions, "the world is going to
end" and "the world did not end." Although some members abandoned the
group when the prophecy failed, most of the members lessened their
dissonance by accepting a new belief, that the planet was spared
because of the faith of the group.
Of course, to the above example we must add the tragedy of Jim
Jones' group suicide in Guyana, the Heaven's Gate sect (4), etc., etc.
On the other hand... there are prophecies that failed to come
true because they were
conditional. One shining example is Jonas' warning the people of
Niniveh of its impending destruction [Book of Jonas]; a
destruction which did not take place then because they repented and
pleaded for Mercy. Of course, Niniveh was eventually destroyed after
they went back to the old ways.
While Mary's prophecy if Fatima – which was also conditional – did
take place since the conditions were not met... (5) yet, Her prophecy
through Garabandal (6):
“... Many cardinals, many bishops
and many priests are on the road to perdition and are taking many souls
with them. Less and less importance is being given to the Eucharist.” has
been fulfilled with a vengeance confirming to anyone who has any sense
that Her recommendation: “You should
turn the wrath of God away from yourselves by your efforts. If you ask
His forgiveness with sincere hearts, He will pardon you.” better
be obeyed; a recommendation which, of course, has not been
accepted.
Therefore, acknowledging the fact that Prophets from God exist as
well as individual inspirations by the Holy Spirit of God and Marian
Apparitions, how does a prophet and/or an individual know that he/she
is not being deceived into falling in the trap resulting from Cognitive
Dissonance? Quite, quite simple.
First – Just like a Marian visionary, an individual chosen by God
to fulfill a key role in the history of mankind, does not "get up in
the morning" and say: “I am a prophet
and I will speak in the Name of God.” That awareness comes
slowly until the human being can properly assimilate it. Were the
information of the Divine appointment were given all at once, the
psychosomatic system of the creature could not endure it.
The best examples of "white" and "black" that we can give takes us
to St. John Bosco (7)
and Josemaría Escrivá (8).
In the case of St. John Bosco – the "white" – it was a gradual
awareness via dreams, inspirations, and, above all, seeing the hand of
God. In the case of Josemaría Escrivá – the "black" – was a clear case
of "wanting to be" ("wannabee" in American slang) what he was not
called to be.
Second – How does the "awareness that comes slowly" be confirmed
on a day to day basis? The best way to achieve it was published
recently in our Divine Encouragement
and Inspiration page. Quoting from it:
In all true discipleship,
and in the true spiritual development of each disciple, there is first
the wonder and the joy of first acquaintance, then comes the long plain
stretch of lesson-learning and discipline, when Joy seems so much a
thing of the past as never to be recaptured again.
But constant experience of Me, the constant persistent recognition
of My Intervening Hand in daily happenings – the ever accumulating weight of
evidence in support of My Guidance – the numberless instances in which
seeming chance or wonderful coincidence can be, must be, traced
back to My loving forethought, – all these gradually engender a feeling
of wonder, certainty,
gratitude, followed in time by Joy.
Someone may rightfully ask: Why
would God allow the "black" version, after all, you claim that God is
above all and nothing happens unless God allows it?
He allows it for the exact same reason He acted as we read in 1 Kings
22: 1-38
I saw the Lord sitting on his
throne, and all the host
of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. 20 And the
Lord said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at
Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that
manner. 21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord,
and said, I will persuade him. 22 And the Lord said unto him,
Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit
in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him,
and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
23 Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in
the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil
concerning thee.
There were many prophets whose mouths were moved by a lying
spirit, and only one – Micaiah – had the Spirit of God.
This is the method God uses to separate the wheat (the followers
of "white") from the chaff (the followers of "black"). The light –
truth – will draw only those marked for the Eternal Light while the
darkness – deceit – will draw those marked for Eternal Damnation.
CONCLUSION
In the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year "C", we are
reminded of a reality that we have explained elsewhere (9) and which helps
understand the Divine method to separate the wheat from the chaff. When
an individual is born God knows what his/her ending place will be –
Heaven or Hell.
First in the Acts of the Apostles we read:
And
the Gentiles hearing it, were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord:
and as many as
were ordained to life everlasting, believed. [Acts 13:48]
Second, in the Gospel of John we read:
But
you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep. My sheep hear my voice: and
I know them, and they follow me. 28 And I give them life everlasting;
and they shall not perish
for ever, and no man shall pluck them out of my hand. That
which my Father hath given me, is greater than all: and no one can
snatch them out of the hand of my Father. [John 10: 26-29]
Therefore, some method must be set up by God so that a human who
is not destined to Heaven, through his/her own free will choose the
Eternal Darkness.
Should we "help God" and give a push to whomever we think is going
to hell so that he/she gets there for sure? Of course not! On the
contrary – they must be
warned just in case a child of the light has been entrapped
within the web of darkness. (10)
That is why we must never
judge an individual; his/her actions in the light of the teachings from
God, yes, but his/her final destination, no.
EPILOGUE
It is imperative that the Faithful remembers that Blind Obedience
is not from God. God does not speak from both sides of His mouth
– He is Perfectly Coherent.
On the other hand, religious leaders, self appointed prophets,
alleged visionaries, etc. are certainly capable of speaking from "both
sides of the mouth", and many certainly do, most especially when there
is great institutional and/or personal gain involved.
NOTES
(1) The Dangers of
Denial
(2) Principle
of Coherence
(3)
Cognitive
dissonance
(4) Heaven's
Gate Sect
(5) Fatima
ignored!
(6) Garabandal
(7) The
Trajectory of St.
John Bosco
(8) Opus
Dei
References
(9) Mysteries
of the
Faith
(10) An
invitation to key
Opus Dei
leaders
En Español: La Coherencia no puede ni debe ser forzada
Published on April 26, 2010 -
Feast of Mary, Mother of Good Counsel - European Union
© Copyright 2010 - 2022 by The M+G+R Foundation.
All rights reserved. However, you may
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for it.
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