Tradicat

 + JMJ Principle 2: Know the Faith as the Catholic Church Teaches or Taught it. A knowledge of the Faith and familiarity with the history of the Catholic Church for at least the past 200 years provides a good foundation for weathering this storm. Bias, Opinions and Misbeliefs One landmine that undermines principle #2 is the mixing of personal opinion with doctrine. These opinions, beliefs by another name, are sometimes held in a death grip. In some cases they are just prejudices against various real groups such as immigrants, Jews, communists, masons etc. In some cases it extends to conspiracy theories such as sedevacantism. These firmly held beliefs prevent people from both understanding Doctrine as Taught by the Church and making the necessary distinctions. For example, which religions offer worship to the True God? Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Jews and Muslims. Some people suck in their breath through their teeth creating an noticeable hiss at the above statement....

 + JMJ  I once had an argument on Ignis Ardens with Catholicam (link: Cognitive Dissonance ) that took issue with Lumen Gentium 16 - particularly the distinction that Muslims "adore the one and merciful God" and "professing to hold the faith of Abraham". Below is an annotated version of Lumen Gentium 16.  16. Finally, those who have not yet received the Gospel are related in various ways to the people of God.(18*)  In the first place we must recall the people to whom the testament and the promises were given [Tradicat: Jewish People] and from whom Christ was born according to the flesh.(125) On account of their fathers this people remains most dear to God, for God does not repent of the gifts He makes nor of the calls He issues.(126)  But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place amongst these there are the Muslims , who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on...

+ JMJ Update 1 at bottom of post. I found the following waiting for me when I opened my email on Oct 16th. Gullible has left a new comment on your post " Angelus Press Conference, Fr. Sean Kilcawley and a... ": https://sspx.org/en/lefebvre- church-priesthood-and-indult Archbishop Lefebvre comments on Theology of the Body starting at the paragraph "You may have noticed this in the pope's Wednesday conferences" I have a feeling you won't post it. God Bless Gullible ... well Gullible, I don't know why you felt that I wouldn't post the section of TOB (see whole talk below) ... but for convenience, I have added below the sections on TOB.  Interestingly, TOB is so vague and confusing that it spawned a cottage industry of interpreters and 'consultants'.  Just like the US tax laws. I've even had one Modern Catholic tell me that the Church (Catholic) needed this 'teaching for this age'.  Well, I'm pret...

+ JMJ There's a whole lot of electrons being spilt over the invitation of Fr. Kilcawley to present at the Angelus Press Conference. When I saw the article by Louie Verrechio and the angst that was being caused ... I suspected that they didn't listen to the whole 2 minute presentation and place what they deemed offensive to their ears in context. Frankly, I doubt that they would do that because it goes against the belief that the Novus Ordo Priests are actually members of the Catholic Religion and priests. How did they alter the perception of the act?  By employing confirmation bias and poor grammar they succeed in altering the perception of the action by excluding the key point that Fr. Kilcawley was  making: That OLJC dispels the temptation. First here's what Louie quoted: … simply invite Our Lord into our temptation and into our thoughts in the present moment. To say, “Jesus, I want to look at pornography right now.” Or, “Jesus, I’m having an i...

+ JMJ I have just received my first issue of The Remnant and I recommend that everyone obtains a subscription. The existence of a good Catholic Press informing and providing insight to this crisis is essential. Mr. Archbold's article gives a good outline of what is known as Cognitive Dissonance and the challenges it presents.  No one tries to be subject to cognitive dissonance, confirmation biases etc.  It is just a result of our constitution. Anyone can fall prey to these mental fallacies. Humility is the first step to overcoming the biases that hold us prisoner.  This cannot be had without a at least a healthy, if not strong, spiritual life. A broad perspective from good reading is the capstone. P^3

+ JMJ Here's  a graphic of some biases - some more applicable than others. P^3

+ JMJ Over on Suscipedomine  (a forum that has a working moderation framework) a 'resistor' has been given a warning by the Moderator (see Archer's note) and the rest of the forum told to not bait him. What interests me is Gerard's response, which I have reproduced below with my thoughts. P^3

+ JMJ 18:21. And if in silent thought thou answer: How shall I know the word that the Lord hath not spoken? 18:22. Thou shalt have this sign: Whatsoever that same prophet foretelleth in the name of the Lord, and it cometh not to pass: that thing the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath forged it by the pride of his mind: and therefore thou shalt not fear him. ( Source ) It should be this simple. If someone makes a prediction about a future event and the event doesn't take place - then they were at best wrong and at worst a fraud. However, when a person or their followers can't accept that they were wrong - then life gets interesting - that's where we cross the threshold to 'cognitive dissonance theory' ( link ). General human behaviour  ... when confronted  with a reality which contradicts their beliefs. First let's clarify something: There is no justification for justifying ones own actions based on the supposed future action of someone ...

+ JMJ This is just too good a diagram to not link.

+ JMJ I've discussed various cultural and psychological barriers that exist both in 'modern' and 'traditional' Catholics here , here , and here . Normally, I referred to fig 1 in discussing the issues faced by Catholics of all cultural dispositions. Fig 1: Cognitive Dissonance Model I was involved in some debates on dogmatic facts , specifically the dogmatic fact established by the recognition of the Bishops determines infallibly who is the Pope. I decided that it would be good to provide a graphic applying the model to the crisis of the Church.

+ JMJ It is one thing to be aware of cultural land mines, but quite another to navigate them in order to help someone to broaden their perspective on the crisis of the Church. http://web.mst.edu/~psyworld/general/dissonance/fig1.gif Every time an action is presented (present actions of clergy etc) that is inconsistent with a belief held, it potentially will result in an explosion. Sometimes, it is better to let the 'non-traditional Catholic to lead off the discussion - which will probably be an expression of a belief about Traditional Catholicism. In other words the statement will go something like this: You believe X.

Reblogged from Tradicat I was on my way to the forum one day when ... In some recent discussions about the documents of Vatican II, I recently encountered an interesting aspect of human behaviour. The whole argument started when I stated that one way the Church could solve this crisis would be a correction (rewriting) of the documents of the Council.

Rorate Caeli (thankfully) is still tracking the FFI intervention.  At this point I have provided a complete copy of their post. First, Rorate Caeli has the best coverage that I have ever found of events that have a bearing on the Catholic world with a particular emphasis on the Traditional front. Second, the chastisement of the FFI in the manner in which it is taking place shows, in my opinion, that the FFI crossed a 'red-line' concerning the Second Vatican Council and the Novus Ordo Missae.  The irrationality of the methods used against them indicate that (from an organizational culture point of view) they have tripped upon a cultural landmine. Incidentally, the same one that the SSPX has been tripping on for the last few decades. Third, what is it that causes such a reaction?

+ JMJ When two strong cultures clash in an organization, a war will result. Analogically, this is an immune response, a fever if you will, in the parent organization. Which one will win in the end? Ultimately, we have God's word that the Church will not fail. It doesn't mean that She cannot be made ill by the virus of heresy. The situation of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate is, unfortunately, a perfect example of just such an immune response. The following links provide some insight however it suffices to say that the FFI crossed two cultural lines: Implementation of the Tridentine Mass as a norm for the conventual Masses. Beginning to question some of the cultural assumptions regarding the Second Vatican Council. For this, they are called 'crypto-Lefebvrists' and banned from saying the TLM. In my opinion God has protected the SSPX from a dangerous situation.   Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4 Pray that they may be strong ...

In some online debates I have encountered what appear to be a number of different cognitive biases. The latest is the confirmation bias in which people favour evidence that supports their assertions while ignoring or suppressing evidence that undermines their position.

My wife pointed out that knowing the basic fallacies that can be encountered in a discussion / argument would be useful. Here's the list we summarized from 'The Fallacy Detective' and other sources.