Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt

Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt - FUD

I was first exposed to this concept during a job interview with Digital (rip) Corporation for a technical sales support role.

While I did not get the job, I have never forgotten the acronym FUD that was used:

FUD is the tactic of instilling fear, uncertainty, and doubt in the minds of potential customers about a competing product when your own product is not competitive.

This is very close to the quotation provided in the linked wiki article and more importantly FUD is basically an "appeal to fear" fallacy.

The FUD strategy works by planting a seed of doubt in the mind of the listener, then nurturing that doubt with further insinuations.

It is remarkably similar to the method of conspiracy theorists.

Conspiracy theories are unsubstantiated, less plausible alternatives to the mainstream explanation of an event; they assume everything is intended, with malignity.Crucially, they are also epistemically self insulating in their construction and arguments. (PsyPAG)

The key word is 'unsubstantiated'.

The real problem with conspiracy theories occurs when a person believes so strongly in them, that when presented with proof that the belief is false, they will modify their perception in order to retain the belief (see 'cognitive dissonance') .

The persistent belief that Bishop Fellay is going to 'sellout' the SSPX / Tradition is a good example of cognitive dissonance.

In this case, ever since the communications with Rome started in 2000, there has been a fear that the SSPX would compromise. This came to a head in 2012 when, by all appearances, it seemed that the Pope was going to accept the SSPX 'as they are'. The predictions of 'sell out' were screamed, especially by Bishop Williamson, Fr. Pfeiffer et al. When the predicted compromise did not occur, en-masse the Resistors switched to a number of alternative perceptions of the reality. Such as either the compromise has occurred or it is still in process.

This is a perfect example of cognitive dissonance and it is scary how close to the behaviour of Bishop Williamson et al (including lay resistors) match the theoretical predictions.

I believe that for Bishop Williamson et al, there is another belief that is the foundation for their 'cognitive dissonance'. While Bishop Williamson et al's discourses normally stay at a superficial level, a few times they have shone a little light on their underlying reasons. The defense of Bishop Williamson's 'Various Churches' article by Fr. Rua is just one such occasion.

Where is the error in Bishop Fellay’s theology? It is the ecclesiological model from which he draws his conclusions. He considers the visible structure of the church to be the Conciliar Church. (Fr. Rua - Resistance to What Rebuttal)

Bishop Fellay believes that the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church is the one united under the Pope (currently Francis, but at the time Benedict). Furthermore, he sees the 'conciliar Church' as a label for a movement within the Church. This is evident from his speeches / letters and is completely consistent with Catholic theology and dogma.

Bishop Williamson et al, due to the scandals etc, cannot accept this belief. To the extent that they see any link between the SSPX and what they perceive as the 'conciliar Church' as a schism from Tradition.

I will examine this thought in another article, because it touches on a number of areas key to the Faith.

So beware of FUD, because a person who operates from misguided fear, abandoning Catholic princpiples is:

Susceptible to manipulation because their reaction is predictable (Sun Tzu comes to mind)
In danger of significant errors in judgment as the engendered mistrust will narrow the perceptions of situations requiring decisions based on limited information.

P^3
Prayer
Penance
Patience

Reference: wiki FUD article

The Curious Case of Steve Skojec and the Dangers of Deep Diving into the Crisis Sub-Titled: The Failings of Others

+ JMJ It's been a while now since Steve Skojec sold 1P5 and abandoned the Catholic Faith. I've been a 'Trad' since 1982 and in those 40+ years I seen this death-spiral before with a similar end point. It seems that anyone who jumps into the fray unprepared for the enormous task of righting wrongs will, eventually, become discouraged by not the task but the people who surround them. I remember when Skojec complained of the treatment his family received from a traditional priest. This seems to have been the start of the end for him. So what can we learn from the likes of Steve Skojec, Michael Voris (maybe?), Louie Verrecchio, Gerry Matatix and other celebrity Catholics? Probably quite a lot about what not to do. First, don't burn out on the crisis? When you burn out, on work or anything else, little things assume a more greater importance than they are due. This is one of my 'canary in the coal mine' signals that I've been stretching myself too th...

Communique about Avrille Dominicans - SSPX.org

+ JMJ Having completed the review of the 'Avrille' perspective, this communique from the French District Superior is perfectly timed. I believe that the 'resistance' has lost rationality and further argumentation simply results in their holding on to their false ideal all the more firmly. Pray much ... First, for them to acquiesce to the grace of humility in order to obtain a clear perspective on the principles involved. Second, that we may remain faithful to the Church, and Her Dogmas, Doctrines and Principles. Lest we become that which against we strove ... P^3 Courtesy of SSPX.org

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3

A Reply to Martin Blackshaw’s FLAWED Remnant article titled: FLAWED: SSPX Advice on Abortion-tainted Vaccines

+ JMJ An article has appeared in the Remnant (link to article) and I am afraid that there are a number of flaws in it that need to be addressed. The author, Martin Blackshaw, believes that both the Church and the SSPX are misapplying the principle of Moral Theology called 'Cooperation In Evil'. Unfortunately, Mr. Blackshaw rests most of his arguments on citing authors that support his position, without considering the possibility that they are wrong. This highlights a key factor in this crisis: ignorance of the faith and its application . I don't am not singling out Mr. Blackshaw for this criticism, I have observed that it applies to laity and religious, superior and subject a like. No one seems immune in this enduring crisis, myself included. I further believe that this ignorance is why so many Catholics, both traditional and non, rely on their gut feeling or "Catholic conscience" for charting their way through this crisis of the faith. While...

Magisterium and Levels of Assent

+ JMJ Understanding the levels of assent to be given to the teachings of the Church is a critical success factor in walking the knife's edge during this crisis of the Church. The levels of assent are generally associated with the theological grades of certainty, which are not surprisingly mirrored by the censures for contravening the teachings of the various levels.

Tradicat

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