Cognitive Dissonance

Psychological discomfort from holding conflicting beliefs or values

• You feel torn when your lived experiences don’t match what your religion teaches.

• You struggle to reconcile messages about love and compassion with the judgment or hypocrisy you witness.

Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)

• Holding contradictory beliefs can lead to emotional and mental fatigue.

• Anxiety may increase during decision-making that challenges internalized doctrine.