…and just when I thought I had heard everything about our present pandemic, I read an article about the cognitive dissonance that is happening within societies during COVID-19 (The Atlantic, 7/12/2020, online).

What on earth is cognitive dissonance? Here is the best way I can explain it: if you immediately decided this article is not worth your time because you saw that it involved The Atlantic, you have proven the cognitive dissonance theory. Also, if you immediately decided this article is totally worth your time because you saw that it involved The Atlantic, you have proven the cognitive dissonance theory.

Cognitive dissonance involves the manner in which we deal with those things that go against our likes or dislikes. In other words, even if what it says makes perfect sense, I will find a way to point out its fallacies if I believe the aforementioned magazine is nothing but a rag.

Still not sure? Well, how is it that a crowded political rally is deemed responsible for the spread of the virus and a crowded demonstration is not? Alternately, how is a crowded demonstration irresponsible behavior, and a crowded political rally a necessary part of the process? (In case you still aren’t sure, I am saying cognitive dissonance goes both ways.)

Why should this matter; and why should this matter in a church newsletter? In Paul’s Second letter to young Timothy, he ever-so-strongly advised his protégé to “…rightly divide the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15, KJV) While this relates to Timothy accurately handling God’s message to the people, I believe it points to something anybody needs to hear, regardless of religion or lack thereof…truth is truth.

I may not like someone, but if what she/he says is the truth, my efforts to disprove what was said only degrades my own integrity as it relates to what is true. Even more dangerous may be the opposite – mindlessly following an agenda only because I like it or its spokesperson…or because it fits my own agenda.

The article pointed to what the writer called ‘The Shimon Peres solution’ as a way to approach the dissonance we experience when the truth goes against our likes or dislikes. When a friend makes a mistake, the friend remains a friend, and the mistake remains a mistake. Before we climb aboard any bandwagon, we need to take a good look at what is truthful and factual. Before we jump to conclusions, we need to check our own agendas and determine its truths.

Once we establish wherein the largest truth lies, let us be the type of friend who properly handles that truth so others may find their way through the cognitive dissonance that so wants to disrupt all that is good about life. Jesus said it best…

The truth shall set you free.

John 8:32

Blessings,
Pastor David