Catholic cognitive dissonance in the age of Trump

Cognitive dissonance, as defined at Odyssey and elsewhere, is the uncomfortable mental stress we feel when we experience conflicting values, beliefs and behaviors within ourselves; or when we are confronted with opposing values, beliefs and behaviors that conflict with our own. Cognitive dissonance can be a wake-up call to do something; it can be the motivation to make change, to take action.

An example of cognitive dissonance caused by a conflict within our own values, beliefs and behaviors is the person who values healthy living through exercise and eating organic fruits and vegetables — and who smokes. Since smoking can cause cancer, it causes cognitive dissonance for this person. The resulting mental stress could move that person to quit smoking.

Many people — instead of making a change — will choose the easy way out. Any of you who have quit smoking know that it's a really hard thing to do, so a person seeking to relieve the inner tension of cognitive dissonance will begin to justify why they smoke, e.g., "It's the only pleasure I have in my day," "I have a stressful job and smoking relaxes me," or "New research reveals that smoking may prevent me from contacting COVID 19."

I have been reflecting on how we might try to relieve the discomfort of cognitive dissonance when our values, beliefs and behaviors clash with those of a group we are part of.

Religious congregations of sisters, particularly members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, or LCWR, hold similar values which motivate the work we do. Social justice and care for the environment are areas of particular concern to us. LCWR member congregations seek to balance the work of charity and justice, providing hands-on service for those in need and engaging in the work of systemic change, which is required for equity, justice and peace. We work for climate justice, women's rights, and economic justice; we stand in solidarity with immigrants and those seeking refuge in our country; we work to undo personal and systemic racism and for an end to poverty.

The president of the United States and his administration do not seem to share our values. Despite blatantly racist statements, Donald Trump became president of the United States. As president he incites and supports the vilest racist attitudes and behaviors of Americans.

Despite many allegations of sexual abuse, Trump became president, and uses his new power to denigrate and insult women.

Over the years we have been made aware that mainstream media in the U.S. are owned and controlled by a small number of wealthy corporate persons, and in some cases have not been doing the investigative journalism that would honestly inform the public. Trump's use of "fake news," however, is not critiquing biased news; it is labeling any news that disagrees with him and his lies as "fake." Destroying the possible credibility of the news media is a road to dictatorship, which appears to be where Trump is going.

Anyone who challenges the behavior of the president is blamed by the president for the very unethical or illegal behavior for which he's challenged. Those in positions of leadership in the White House or the Pentagon who publicly disagree with the president can expect to lose their jobs or suffer in their position.

While our hearts hurt for the plight of migrants, the Trump administration locks children up with no concern for a return to their families. "Build the Wall" is a constant chant to rouse the racist attitude toward immigrants in the U.S.