Cognitive Dissonance: Difference between revisions

No edit summary
Line 84: Line 84:
Festinger stated that five conditions must be present if someone is to become a more fervent believer after a failure or disconfirmation.  With respect to followers of William Branham, these have been identified as follows:
Festinger stated that five conditions must be present if someone is to become a more fervent believer after a failure or disconfirmation.  With respect to followers of William Branham, these have been identified as follows:


#The belief that William Branham is a prophet of God is held with deep conviction and, in most cases, creates a significant change in the life style of message believers.   
#The belief that '''William Branham is a prophet of God is held with deep conviction''' and, in most cases, creates '''a significant change in the life style of message believers'''.   
#Following the "message" generally involves a significant personal commitment. This will also often involve significant confrontation with family members and close friends and a deep separation from these people.  For women, it generally involves a complete change in dress and hairstyle that is obvious to friends and relatives.
#Following the "message" generally involves a '''significant personal commitment'''. This will also often involve significant confrontation with family members and close friends and a '''deep separation''' from these people.  '''For women, it generally involves a complete change in dress and hairstyle''' that is obvious to friends and relatives.
#Belief in the message of William Branham is very specific with respect to prophecies which have been shown to have failed.  Additionally, specific statements of William Branham have been shown to be lies.  Sufficient evidence to unequivocally refute belief in William Branham have been presented on this website.
#Belief in the message of William Branham is very specific with respect to prophecies which have been shown to have failed.  Additionally, specific statements of William Branham have been shown to be lies.  Sufficient evidence to unequivocally refute belief in William Branham have been presented on this website.
#Undeniable disconfirmatory evidence has been presented and has been recognized as such by many ministers and individual believers in the message.
#Undeniable disconfirmatory evidence has been presented and has been recognized as such by many ministers and individual believers in the message.