Cognition and Churches

Hello Thoughtful Thursday. It's January 14, 2021. I've been wracking my brain trying to see how so many people can be so easily mislead in so many matters. That sounds a bit pompous I guess, but to think, to truly believe that there is a supernatural being who cares how you live or love, or that TheOrangeBuffoon has any interest beyond his own, or that the moon landing was faked... is just ludicrous. In spite of all the evidence to the contrary some people actually believe these things. I often extol people to just think, to examine the evidence, to seek answers other than the pat answers from those in their own circle of people who think as they do. I wonder if I've been wrong; if I'm expecting too much? 

I ran across the work of Piaget not too long ago. Jean Piaget developed theories of human intellectual and cognitive development in the 1930s. He described 4 stages of a child's development. Beginning with object permanence (something hidden from a baby is gone as far as the baby is concerned), we normally advance to symbolic thought (language and art as representative of objects) to concrete operational logical thought and deduction (A+B=C so C-A=B) to formal operation when we become capable of abstract thinking and grasping hypothetical concepts.   

I am concerned that is where many people choose to stop in their development. According to Piaget, as we grow and learn more, we assimilate new facts into our existing body of knowledge or change our ideas if the new facts contradict former beliefs. Piaget (1958) says "assimilation and accommodation require an active learner, not a passive one because problem-solving skills cannot be taught, they must be discovered". Studies on human cognition have been ongoing (see note). Recognition that specific age ranges for specific abilities are unreasonable, and that environment and culture have a bearing on when children develop certain mental abilities. I saw in the 'critique' section of the cited article, comments pointing out how nomadic tribes have different mental stimulation and life-style needs than urban children so develop different thinking skills at different ages. The classic argument of nature vs nurture... but why should it be an 'either-or' proposition? We know we're affected by our surroundings, our environment, our caretakers; later on by our choice of friends and reading material. "Dasen (1994) states that only one-third of adults ever reach the formal operational stage". But why would anyone choose to stop learning, or stop thinking? 

They've been told since early childhood that 'god' is the answer to everything and to think otherwise is a sin punishable by extreme torment. They have been told angels and demons are real, that they have no intrinsic worth in and of themselves. They are taking a risk to even question the words of the holy texts, then must accept answers from "authorities" as 'truth'. They are often afraid to think. These people are subject to every conspiracy theory and tall-tale that comes along. As recognized by "the church" as early as 500-600 CE (and continuing through today), and as recognized by dishonest politicians and other charlatans for at least as long, the uninformed are easily molded and led. 

The ongoing outrages by the current occupant of the American White House (TOB) just further take advantage of the indoctrination. If you've been taught your entire life that you are nothing without a supernatural being's help what more can be expected of you? You dedicate your life to evangelizing what you're told is this "god's" will. You didn't bother to think that whoever told you this could be wrong (no, IDK why so few question this). You then fall for other ridiculosities like election fraud, flat earth, or claims that some politicians of the other party said or did something ridiculous. You may have drifted over to the prophecy gospels. Ignore the fact that they've been wrong for centuries; just continue to accept and believe because... IDK really; why? As adults, can't everyone see when they're being manipulated? Though some of it can be subtle, it is usually pretty obvious often with references to known relatable stories from popular dogma. I would also point out that it is often promulgated by a second or third generation from the original prophet (or profit? hahaha). Billy Graham and others of his ilk left a legacy of lifetime employment to their sons (not daughters, AFAIK). Would you know of Franklin Graham if not for his father? Paula White is TOB's personal guide of some kind? Why is the church not taking a stand against TOB's lies? Well, except the church has already primed its followers to believe without evidence. 

Then there are the new age "gospels" of a sort. From astrology to vibrations they offer almost any sort of babble that may make you feel good, and if that's all they're trying to do that's fine. If they're trying to make you believe in such things, they're pulling the same Jedi mind tricks the church (and politicians, and some corporations) have been using all along. Almost any words can be strung together to become a "deepity", LOL. 

Que sera, sera. But we each can make a difference in what will be within our own lives and our own tiny little sphere of influence. It just takes a bit more effort than "thoughts and prayers". 

I've had this blog post in draft for several days. At this point, I'm not sure what started me on this meandering train of thought. The last couple bits are from this morning (Jan 19, 2021). Hopefully, you'll find something worth reading, maybe worth thinking about. Blessed be, LOL (made me think of Seth Andrews and his observations on the "now blessed mashed potatoes"). Can we at least remember, we are all children of the same universe?

Note: (Study continued on childhood learning and brain development into the 2000s and 2010s. Wikipedia has an entry.)