Cognitive Dissonance of Believing in Peace and Condoning War

By: Alexandria Addesso

Cognitive dissonance theory describes a mental state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude changes. In many cases cognitive dissonance can be linked to anxiety and even depression. Most individuals deal with some sort of cognitive dissonance on a daily basis. Such as wanting to help the environment but driving a no eco-friendly car, smoking despite the fact that you know it is bad for you, or being against child labor despite buying items that come from such labor.

While the above examples seem to be clear, there are facets of society where cognitive dissonance seems to be completely ignored. Such as believing and even advocating for peace while condoning war. Some even go as far as defending war-making as the only viable way to achieve peace, which is a complete contradiction. In fact, if this last statement was not repeatedly used, perpetuated and accepted then politicians would not be able to justify most wars and conflicts.



Yet where is the cognitive dissonance coming into play? If war was a “necessary” evil to secure possible future peacetime is rationalized, the dissonance is usually silenced. Furthermore, when individuals do not experience the effects of war firsthand, like most living in the first world or Western countries, it becomes easy to ignore it and not let it affect you. If there is already a lax or non-existent value of human life, there is no dissonance.

But, what about the people who practice doctrines that call for peace? Christianity is based on what Jesus said and did. He submitted to all suffering, was nonviolent to all his persecutors, and emphasized the golden rule of loving your neighbor as yourself, even when your neighbor is your enemy. So how can so many people who claim to be Christians, go to church on Sundays, and read the Bible be pro-war? The way they must rationalize such beliefs definitely fulfills the cognitive dissonance theory. And other faiths that proclaim peace are no exception.



Wanting peace but condoning war is contradictory because violence only begets more violence and creates violent attitudes. What goes on inside of the head of the “peace-loving” pro-war individual? How do they sleep at night? Possibly very well, just because you want to secure peace for yourself does not mean you care about the wellbeing of others.

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World Peace: Is It Attainable?

By: Alexandria Addesso

It is easy to fall into the bleak reality of the status of the world today. Currently 29 countries are actively engaged in wars as well as wars involving militias-guerrillas, terrorist-separatist-anarchic groups that are not official states. World peace has long been preached about, and for a long time viewed as an achievable goal but how probable is it in a world where so many weapons of mass destruction, that could end all forms of life many times over, exist?

There are currently 15,375 nuclear weapons on this planet, in the possession of nine different countries; Russia, the United States, France, India, Pakistan, The United Kingdom, Israel, and North Korea. The U.S. and Russia own the vast majority of the world’s nuclear weapons, with 6,970 and 7,300 respectively with a combined amount of 1,800 on high status alert ready to be detonated in a matter of minutes. For many who spend a lifetime working towards achieving peace, this accomplishment cannot be reached when any nuclear weapons still exist.



"As long as we have nuclear weapons on this earth, one could claim that no real life is actually thriving on the earth. We do not have life actualizing its fullest potential as long as there are nuclear weapons,” said the former Mayor of Hiroshima Tadatoshi Akiba, during his acceptance speech for the 2004 World Citizen Award.

With a ridiculous amount of nuclear weapons, many militarized states, and violence being glorified even to children in every form of entertainment possible, is world peace a realistic goal or a pipe dream? Is the glass half empty or half full? Perspective can definitely dictate how one answers that question, for some further militarization is a way to ensure “peace”, but to most logical people that premise must seem ridiculous. But is there any way that peace advocates can make a difference? In 1980 the Ploughshares Movement, which is an anti-nuclear weapons and Christian pacifist movement that advocates active resistance to war as well as direct actions usually via damaging or vandalizing weapons and military property, began. The name came from the Bible verse Isaiah 2:4 “..they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”



“We spoke out, committed civil disobedience, and went to jail because the peace hangs senselessly and precariously upon weapons costing billions to build and billions to improve — weapons which become more useless as we add to their destructive force,” said Fr. Daniel Berrigan, an American Peace Activist and Catholic priest. “With this money we could have fed the world's people. Half the children on earth go to bed hungry — millions more have retarding and stunting protein deficiencies. Instead of building the peace by attacking injustices like starvation, disease, illiteracy, political and economic servitude, we spend a trillion dollars on war since 1946, until hatred and conflict have become the international preoccupation."

Is this type of resistance enough? Is more political action needed? Before any mass movement to achieve peace is made it most first take place within the individual. Peace must become as necessary as air is to live. In places like Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of Congo this need is real for civilians just trying to exist. Where unmanned drones rain bullets on children and bombs are dropped daily, peace is prayed for unceasingly. Does this level of destruction need to happen in every city around the world for change to happen? Hopefully not, but as long as economic and military success takes priority over life anywhere and everywhere, peace will remain far away.

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6 conscious routines to ensure you have a peaceful day

by: SPIR1T SC1ENCE
If you feel as if you’re stuck and waiting for something extraordinary to happen, perhaps it’s time you took matters into your own hands and make everyday extraordinary itself! Just by adopting six of the mindful routines, your days will instantly get brighter as you continue on your path to living everyday life and making it your own.

1.Take Your Time To Walk

Just by taking your time on a little stroll can make a world of difference.

If you have a lunch break or time off, go outside and be aware of your surroundings, feel the cool air, notice the small things about your walk, feel your heart beating as you walk, and embrace the outside world.

2. Tea Is Very Soothing

If you aren’t much of a tea drinker, I would recommend starting a healthy routine of finding one of your favorite possible tea drinks and make it a ritual to brew and enjoy the hot beverage when you have time to think.

Brewing tea has been apart of our ancestors for years and years before us.

Tea is probably one of the most soothing beverages you can offer yourself.

3. Wash Your Dishes After You’re Done Eating

As soon as you are finished with a meal, immediately wash any dish or silverware that you have. Washing all of the excess food, crumbs, and whatever other debris is on your plate is almost therapeutic.

By wiping the plate and silverware clean, is almost like you’re wiping away your problems right off into the drain.

4. Mindful Eating

Mindful eating consists of turning off your mobile devices, computer, TV, and any other distraction while eating.

This will make the food taste better, you’ll pay attention to the variety of flavors, be a little more grateful to have food in your tummy, and most of all feeling a sense of wholeness with yourself.

5. Mindfully Brushing Your Teeth

Instead of thinking of a million other things while you brush your teeth, try to focus on the actual process of brushing your teeth. Not only will you have done a better job at cleaning your teeth, but you will also have the insight of how much nonsense we think about while we are in autopilot mode.

6. Take Time To Meditate In The Mornings

As you wait for your coffee to brew, take a pillow or something soft to sit on in the middle of the floor and just sit there in the silence of the waking sun.

Stretch your muscles, breathe deeply, shut out all other noises and become one with yourself entirely.

You are the reason you get yourself out of bed every morning and the force behind nature to do amazing things this very day.