Elihoenai
Well-Known Member
Isaiah 44:6I tend to be sympathetic to this. It is an idea very entrenched in Jewish culture.
However, my studies in Psychology have led me to a very different conclusion. It is actually quite common for people to have beliefs that are at odds with their behavior. This is a form of cognitive dissonance. For example, a person who truly values health and fitness might go out for a big mac.
Usually a person will manage this one of two ways.The first is to provide a rationalization. "I really do care about the environment, but my family really needs this larger car." The second is to compartmentalize, meaning they simply don't allow the thoughts from the two sides to ever interact. That's a little harder to understand, but trust me, people do this all the time.
6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Real Christians do Not Suffer from the Gentile Sickness of Cognitive Dissonance. Real Christians practice what they Believe because Elohim/God is Primary Above All Other Things. For example, Elohim/God has told me to be Celibate and because Elohim/God is Primary it is not possible for me to engage in the Unbelief of Sexual Activity.
Also you have to consider that Psychopaths present a Mask of Normality and Charity to Conceal their Great Evil Practices. On the other hand, if the Christian Believes Jesus to be a Child Rapist Torturing Killer than that person is a Real Devout Christian from their perspective.Earlier this week I watched a 48 hours episode about a serial killer. He was devoutly Christian, not just attending his church regularly, but taking an active role. He was well known for his generosity both of his money and his time, like spending hundreds of hours helping a friend remodel his basement for free. He was a mentor to the kids in his church, and all the kids just loved him. Then he would go out at night, cruising the streets, hunting a child to rape, torture, and kill. It was like he was two different people. That's compartmentalization.
Bizarre? Yes, absolutely. But this sort of thing DOES happen
Have you seen the movie The Clovehitch Killer? From my perspective the Serial Killer is a Psychopath Wearing a Mask of Respectability. The work that the Serial Killer does in the Community is Not Genuine. What do you think?
The Clovehitch Killer - Official Trailer I HD I IFC Midnight