01-01-2007, 04:11 PM
This is another thread, previously posted on other Discussion Boards.
Hi, Everybody! :) What has happened to many of us, over years of association with Watchtower Religion, is that we have become so accustomed to a steady diet of "mixed messages," that, -- not only do we become unable to readily identify them, but, -- we also become unintentional purveyors of mixed messages, ourselves.
Part of our process of, ... "Un-Religiosizing," ... ourselves, is to learn and become users of, "clear thinking faculties." (2 Peter 3:1.) Or, as the footnote says, "mental perception." ... Now that we understand, fully, the need and appropriateness for us to, personally, ... "test the inspired expressions, to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world," -- (1 John 4:1.) -- we not only want to cease and desist from being senders of mixed messages, ourselves. We also want to become skilled, -- adept, -- at recognizing them. Why? Because when a person can read something from a supposed "inspired" (or, 'semi-inspired') source, and recognize it, and say, ... "Aha! THAT is a mixed message! That produces dissonance with my spiritual heart! That is not resonant with the truth I know from the Bible," ... when a person can recognize and say those things to oneself, it has the effect of dis-empowering the "mystique," or, the aura, under which one has walked in a trance for however long. It allows one to, in effect, say to oneself, ... "Hey! You know what? The ole' Emporer is sure enough naked, after all! Well, how about that?!?!?"
Reproduced below are the original three posts, examining, ...
Mixed Messages. ... Dissonance. ... Resonance.
______________________________________________________
Mixed Messages.
If any of you have had the sad misfortune of growing up in a dysfunctional home/family environment, then you already know, -- all too well, -- about "mixed messages," don't you? And for the rest, -- the "fortunate few," -- "mixed messages," are simply communication that leaves the recipient uncertain as to the intent or the content. One who receives "mixed messages," can never be certain as to how to proceed. Instead of clear direction and helpful guidance, there are conflicting, contradictory elements, contained in "mixed messages." The recipient is left baffled, frustrated, confused, bewildered. With a sense of utter futility and hopelessness. "No matter what I do, it cannot come out right. Nothing I can do will please (fill in the blank). ... I'll be wrong, no matter what!" I am sure there are many of us, for whom it is painful to even read these words or consider these thoughts. "Mixed messages" are cruel. They are one of the prevalent forms of spiritual, psychological, and emotional abuse. "Mixed messages" create terror.
Instead of a home environment, let's think about a different setting. If we have given power over ourselves to an institution, an organization, an entity of any kind, ... and if that entity holding power over us (which we have granted to it) operates by, "Mixed Messages," then we have set ourselves up for a lifetime of abuse. We have signed up for the spiritual or emotional or psychological ride of our lives. Or, all three. If there is an "elephant in your living room," the elephant is going to contiinue to be an elephant, and act like an elephant. Since you are powerless to move the elephant out of the living room, at some point, acting in healthy self-interest, you may just have to move. Find a new living room. One without an elephant.
_________________________________________________
Dissonance.
(1) Unpleasant noise. A combination of sounds, to which it is unpleasant to listen.
(2) Inconsistency. Lack of consistency or compatibility between actions or beliefs.
Have you ever heard the sound of someone scraping their fingernails across a chalkboard? Not a pleasant sound, is it? To me, that is the epitome of audio dissonance. As the second definition above confirms, there is also an even greater unpleasantness associated with mental/intellectual dissonance. Emotional dissonance. Spiritual dissonance. Professionals in the fields of mental and emotional health employ a term which covers a lot of ground. ... Cognitive Dissonance.
"Mixed Messages," produce "Cognitive Dissonance." Just as the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard causes one to want to cover their ears from the unpleasantness, and run, screaming, away from the source of the sound, ... so do "mixed messages," produce the exact same effect or reaction from our mind and heart. The mind and heart tend to "shut down," when confronted with a steady diet of "cognitive dissonance." The internal "gut" reaction from the "true self" down deep inside to "mixed messages," is that, "THIS MAKES NO SENSE." I am being told that this makes sense. But, I know better. I can see clearly the inconsistencies, the logical fallacies, the ad hominems, the incongruent statements. the leaps of logic, the irrational (or, non-existent) "reasonings," the groundless, unfounded, baseless assertions, the self-serving claims, etc., etc., etc. We see a naked "emporor," standing before us in broad daylight. But, we hear everyone around us, -- who are supposed to each have an active remaining brain cell or two of their own, -- proclaim how wonderful and fine the emporor looks in his new royal raiments.
Folks, this is truly crazy-makin' stuff! One of the repercussions of cognitive dissonance, is that: We begin to question our own sanity! ... "Surely, they can't all be wrong. If I am the only one thinking this way or feeling this way (you are not), then THE PROBLEM MUST BE WITH ME."
I feel comfortable that, -- by virtue of the fact that you ARE here, on this DB, -- you have come to recognize many of these things, whether you had called them by these names, or not. Let's look at two examples of things about the "Religion" of JW's, which could produce cognitive dissonance.
Example 1. "We are (or, represent) the faithful and discreet slave of Matthew 24:45. As such, we are God's (exclusive) channel of communication. You MUST listen to and follow and trust and agree with us, at all times, on all matters." ... But, on the other hand: ... "We never claimed to be inspired. So, if and when we make mistakes, or change doctrines or policies, or when things we have predicted DO NOT COME TRUE, as predicted, when we said they would, you are not to blame us or think any less of us. You are just to accept the changes, overlook the errors, suffer whatever consequences may have been involved on a personal/family level, and move on."
Example 2. "We live in a spiritual paradise, as God's chosen people." ... But, on the other hand: ... "At the highest levels of organizational operation, we have secretly engaged in spiritually-adulterous relations with the United Nations. Further, we have ostracized, shunned, and banished any of our own "sheep," under our care, who may have managed to become aware of this DISSONANT activity of ours, and who would dare to question us about it, or who would dare to speak about it."
At this point, I believe it becomes abundantly clear that many more examples could be cited. (Feel free to do so. This is your invitation.) But, I do want to stop here.
"The truth about the truth," is that "The ACTUAL Truth," is entirely free of dissonance! "The ACTUAL Truth" is "Resonant." ... "The ACTUAL Truth," produces resonance for its hearers and practicers.
_________________________________________________
Resonance.
Resonance is a word very widely employed in a number of contexts and specialties. You will find it used with specificity in fields such as acoustics, music, physics, electricity, medicine, and chemistry, to name a few. Depending upon the context of its usage, it has a vast array of meanings. So, let's try to narrow down our meaning, here, for purposes of this discussion.
We have already (above), taken a quick look at "Mixed Messages," and the fact that they produce a state, quality, or condition of, "Dissonance." ... "Mixed Messages" would stand out in sharp contrast to, ... "Consistent, Truthful Messages." Thus, messages which are consistent and contain truth produce, "Resonance."
"Mixed Messages" produce "Dissonance."
"Consistent, TRUTHFUL Messages" produce "Resonance."
How often have you heard or used the expression, "THE RING OF TRUTH"? If something has "the ring of truth," to us, it "RESONATES" with "something" inside us, doesn't it? That "something" is the "God-connection" He placed in His human creation. We call it, "Conscience." We do have a natural, "hard-wired," ability and inclination to recognize truth. To respond to truth. To act with truth as our guide. This in-born, Creator-gift within us, is challenged mightily by the sin and imperfection bequeathed to us by our first parents. This is the constant, on-going struggle the apostle Paul (Romans, chapter 7) and so many other Bible writers spoke of, or alluded to, throughout the Scriptures.
Here are a few nuances of meaning for the words resonant/resonance.
Deep and rich in sound. Resounding. Causing echoes or reverberations. Producing an increasing amplication of sound, as through sympathetic vibrations.
It might be worth noting, in passing, that physicists have, for some time now, understood that everything in the physical world, -- all matter, and all energy, -- are reducible to, ... Resonance. Oscillations. Vibrations. Wave lengths. And, those on the cutting edge of research into String Theory (which I have often referred to as, "Millenium Physics,") are slowly coming to terms with the inescapable fact that even "time" and "space" (the other presently-recognized constituents of physical reality), can be reduced, and defined in terms of, ... Resonance. But, I digress.
The point I am seeking to establish is that, just as Jah is the God of Truth, so is He the Giver of Resonance. He is the Source of all Truth; and, He is the Creator of Resonance. Truth and Resonance are two sides of the same coin. You cannot have one without the other. Have you ever heard someone refer to having a "gut feeling," about something? That feeling in the "gut," is Resonance. An intuitive recognition of, Truth.
We have the innate capacity to recognize Truth. With our mind. With our heart. In our "gut." It is the Gift from God for those who earnestly keep seeking, keep searching, and keep digging. With humility and pure motive.
_________________________________________________
Hi Everybody! :) An observation: When someone seems disproportionately volatile, explosive, overly-defensive of their positions, on a regular basis, it reveals something quite significant about that one. Something which, in all likelihood, they are not yet able to recognize and deal with, themselves. What is that? It is the fact that they are deeply troubled within themselves. They are hearing inner rumblings and grumblings which are shouting, "Dissonance." And, yet, the very things producing that inner dissonance for them are the very things which they have treasured. They are the very things in which they have become deeply invested, -- emotionally, spiritually, time-and-energy-wise, and, yes, even, financially. We have spoken of it elsewhere as, "The Vested-Interest Syndrome." When a person is irrationally huffing and puffing constantly, tilting at windmills, as it were, it is a reliable indiicator that internal dissonance is afflicting them. Even if they have yet to become aware of it.
Dissonance, ... in one's belief system = Inner turmoil.
Resonance, ... in one's belief system = Inner peace.
It is well-understood in mental/emotional health circles that change does not occur overnight, but, rather, gradually, and in stages.
Awareness. ---- Acceptance. ---- Action.
Sometimes spoken of as, "The Three A's," these three steps seem to be inviolable.
"Action," cannot take place without prior "Acceptance."
"Acceptance," cannot/does not occur without prior "Awareness."
Furthermore, one cannot jump from "Awareness," into "Action," without a period of "Acceptance," intervening. If one has become "Aware" of dissonance, ... that is when the "grieving," begins. Grief takes as long as it takes. It is different for each person. By the time a person has moved from "Awareness," into "Acceptance," ... one is fully embroiled in the process of "Spiritual Catharsis."
Oh. BTW. What precedes "Acceptance"? ----> Denial. <---- Topic for another post. (Please see the thread, "Spiritual Catharsis.")
Much LOVE to ALL! :) isomam
Hi, Everybody! :) What has happened to many of us, over years of association with Watchtower Religion, is that we have become so accustomed to a steady diet of "mixed messages," that, -- not only do we become unable to readily identify them, but, -- we also become unintentional purveyors of mixed messages, ourselves.
Part of our process of, ... "Un-Religiosizing," ... ourselves, is to learn and become users of, "clear thinking faculties." (2 Peter 3:1.) Or, as the footnote says, "mental perception." ... Now that we understand, fully, the need and appropriateness for us to, personally, ... "test the inspired expressions, to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world," -- (1 John 4:1.) -- we not only want to cease and desist from being senders of mixed messages, ourselves. We also want to become skilled, -- adept, -- at recognizing them. Why? Because when a person can read something from a supposed "inspired" (or, 'semi-inspired') source, and recognize it, and say, ... "Aha! THAT is a mixed message! That produces dissonance with my spiritual heart! That is not resonant with the truth I know from the Bible," ... when a person can recognize and say those things to oneself, it has the effect of dis-empowering the "mystique," or, the aura, under which one has walked in a trance for however long. It allows one to, in effect, say to oneself, ... "Hey! You know what? The ole' Emporer is sure enough naked, after all! Well, how about that?!?!?"
Reproduced below are the original three posts, examining, ...
Mixed Messages. ... Dissonance. ... Resonance.
______________________________________________________
Mixed Messages.
If any of you have had the sad misfortune of growing up in a dysfunctional home/family environment, then you already know, -- all too well, -- about "mixed messages," don't you? And for the rest, -- the "fortunate few," -- "mixed messages," are simply communication that leaves the recipient uncertain as to the intent or the content. One who receives "mixed messages," can never be certain as to how to proceed. Instead of clear direction and helpful guidance, there are conflicting, contradictory elements, contained in "mixed messages." The recipient is left baffled, frustrated, confused, bewildered. With a sense of utter futility and hopelessness. "No matter what I do, it cannot come out right. Nothing I can do will please (fill in the blank). ... I'll be wrong, no matter what!" I am sure there are many of us, for whom it is painful to even read these words or consider these thoughts. "Mixed messages" are cruel. They are one of the prevalent forms of spiritual, psychological, and emotional abuse. "Mixed messages" create terror.
Instead of a home environment, let's think about a different setting. If we have given power over ourselves to an institution, an organization, an entity of any kind, ... and if that entity holding power over us (which we have granted to it) operates by, "Mixed Messages," then we have set ourselves up for a lifetime of abuse. We have signed up for the spiritual or emotional or psychological ride of our lives. Or, all three. If there is an "elephant in your living room," the elephant is going to contiinue to be an elephant, and act like an elephant. Since you are powerless to move the elephant out of the living room, at some point, acting in healthy self-interest, you may just have to move. Find a new living room. One without an elephant.
_________________________________________________
Dissonance.
(1) Unpleasant noise. A combination of sounds, to which it is unpleasant to listen.
(2) Inconsistency. Lack of consistency or compatibility between actions or beliefs.
Have you ever heard the sound of someone scraping their fingernails across a chalkboard? Not a pleasant sound, is it? To me, that is the epitome of audio dissonance. As the second definition above confirms, there is also an even greater unpleasantness associated with mental/intellectual dissonance. Emotional dissonance. Spiritual dissonance. Professionals in the fields of mental and emotional health employ a term which covers a lot of ground. ... Cognitive Dissonance.
"Mixed Messages," produce "Cognitive Dissonance." Just as the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard causes one to want to cover their ears from the unpleasantness, and run, screaming, away from the source of the sound, ... so do "mixed messages," produce the exact same effect or reaction from our mind and heart. The mind and heart tend to "shut down," when confronted with a steady diet of "cognitive dissonance." The internal "gut" reaction from the "true self" down deep inside to "mixed messages," is that, "THIS MAKES NO SENSE." I am being told that this makes sense. But, I know better. I can see clearly the inconsistencies, the logical fallacies, the ad hominems, the incongruent statements. the leaps of logic, the irrational (or, non-existent) "reasonings," the groundless, unfounded, baseless assertions, the self-serving claims, etc., etc., etc. We see a naked "emporor," standing before us in broad daylight. But, we hear everyone around us, -- who are supposed to each have an active remaining brain cell or two of their own, -- proclaim how wonderful and fine the emporor looks in his new royal raiments.
Folks, this is truly crazy-makin' stuff! One of the repercussions of cognitive dissonance, is that: We begin to question our own sanity! ... "Surely, they can't all be wrong. If I am the only one thinking this way or feeling this way (you are not), then THE PROBLEM MUST BE WITH ME."
I feel comfortable that, -- by virtue of the fact that you ARE here, on this DB, -- you have come to recognize many of these things, whether you had called them by these names, or not. Let's look at two examples of things about the "Religion" of JW's, which could produce cognitive dissonance.
Example 1. "We are (or, represent) the faithful and discreet slave of Matthew 24:45. As such, we are God's (exclusive) channel of communication. You MUST listen to and follow and trust and agree with us, at all times, on all matters." ... But, on the other hand: ... "We never claimed to be inspired. So, if and when we make mistakes, or change doctrines or policies, or when things we have predicted DO NOT COME TRUE, as predicted, when we said they would, you are not to blame us or think any less of us. You are just to accept the changes, overlook the errors, suffer whatever consequences may have been involved on a personal/family level, and move on."
Example 2. "We live in a spiritual paradise, as God's chosen people." ... But, on the other hand: ... "At the highest levels of organizational operation, we have secretly engaged in spiritually-adulterous relations with the United Nations. Further, we have ostracized, shunned, and banished any of our own "sheep," under our care, who may have managed to become aware of this DISSONANT activity of ours, and who would dare to question us about it, or who would dare to speak about it."
At this point, I believe it becomes abundantly clear that many more examples could be cited. (Feel free to do so. This is your invitation.) But, I do want to stop here.
"The truth about the truth," is that "The ACTUAL Truth," is entirely free of dissonance! "The ACTUAL Truth" is "Resonant." ... "The ACTUAL Truth," produces resonance for its hearers and practicers.
_________________________________________________
Resonance.
Resonance is a word very widely employed in a number of contexts and specialties. You will find it used with specificity in fields such as acoustics, music, physics, electricity, medicine, and chemistry, to name a few. Depending upon the context of its usage, it has a vast array of meanings. So, let's try to narrow down our meaning, here, for purposes of this discussion.
We have already (above), taken a quick look at "Mixed Messages," and the fact that they produce a state, quality, or condition of, "Dissonance." ... "Mixed Messages" would stand out in sharp contrast to, ... "Consistent, Truthful Messages." Thus, messages which are consistent and contain truth produce, "Resonance."
"Mixed Messages" produce "Dissonance."
"Consistent, TRUTHFUL Messages" produce "Resonance."
How often have you heard or used the expression, "THE RING OF TRUTH"? If something has "the ring of truth," to us, it "RESONATES" with "something" inside us, doesn't it? That "something" is the "God-connection" He placed in His human creation. We call it, "Conscience." We do have a natural, "hard-wired," ability and inclination to recognize truth. To respond to truth. To act with truth as our guide. This in-born, Creator-gift within us, is challenged mightily by the sin and imperfection bequeathed to us by our first parents. This is the constant, on-going struggle the apostle Paul (Romans, chapter 7) and so many other Bible writers spoke of, or alluded to, throughout the Scriptures.
Here are a few nuances of meaning for the words resonant/resonance.
Deep and rich in sound. Resounding. Causing echoes or reverberations. Producing an increasing amplication of sound, as through sympathetic vibrations.
It might be worth noting, in passing, that physicists have, for some time now, understood that everything in the physical world, -- all matter, and all energy, -- are reducible to, ... Resonance. Oscillations. Vibrations. Wave lengths. And, those on the cutting edge of research into String Theory (which I have often referred to as, "Millenium Physics,") are slowly coming to terms with the inescapable fact that even "time" and "space" (the other presently-recognized constituents of physical reality), can be reduced, and defined in terms of, ... Resonance. But, I digress.
The point I am seeking to establish is that, just as Jah is the God of Truth, so is He the Giver of Resonance. He is the Source of all Truth; and, He is the Creator of Resonance. Truth and Resonance are two sides of the same coin. You cannot have one without the other. Have you ever heard someone refer to having a "gut feeling," about something? That feeling in the "gut," is Resonance. An intuitive recognition of, Truth.
We have the innate capacity to recognize Truth. With our mind. With our heart. In our "gut." It is the Gift from God for those who earnestly keep seeking, keep searching, and keep digging. With humility and pure motive.
_________________________________________________
Hi Everybody! :) An observation: When someone seems disproportionately volatile, explosive, overly-defensive of their positions, on a regular basis, it reveals something quite significant about that one. Something which, in all likelihood, they are not yet able to recognize and deal with, themselves. What is that? It is the fact that they are deeply troubled within themselves. They are hearing inner rumblings and grumblings which are shouting, "Dissonance." And, yet, the very things producing that inner dissonance for them are the very things which they have treasured. They are the very things in which they have become deeply invested, -- emotionally, spiritually, time-and-energy-wise, and, yes, even, financially. We have spoken of it elsewhere as, "The Vested-Interest Syndrome." When a person is irrationally huffing and puffing constantly, tilting at windmills, as it were, it is a reliable indiicator that internal dissonance is afflicting them. Even if they have yet to become aware of it.
Dissonance, ... in one's belief system = Inner turmoil.
Resonance, ... in one's belief system = Inner peace.
It is well-understood in mental/emotional health circles that change does not occur overnight, but, rather, gradually, and in stages.
Awareness. ---- Acceptance. ---- Action.
Sometimes spoken of as, "The Three A's," these three steps seem to be inviolable.
"Action," cannot take place without prior "Acceptance."
"Acceptance," cannot/does not occur without prior "Awareness."
Furthermore, one cannot jump from "Awareness," into "Action," without a period of "Acceptance," intervening. If one has become "Aware" of dissonance, ... that is when the "grieving," begins. Grief takes as long as it takes. It is different for each person. By the time a person has moved from "Awareness," into "Acceptance," ... one is fully embroiled in the process of "Spiritual Catharsis."
Oh. BTW. What precedes "Acceptance"? ----> Denial. <---- Topic for another post. (Please see the thread, "Spiritual Catharsis.")
Much LOVE to ALL! :) isomam