Perhaps, but the cognitive dissonance is real with these people. For example: eating and drinking the flesh and blood of a deity. Some are told to believe they are, but deep down know it’s a lie.
That’s the thing about those in power. They just need to be convincing enough to get a few people who are gullible, or easily-manipulated for one reason or another, to genuinely believe what they say, and then it snowballs from there
The authoritarian personality is a personality type characterized by a disposition to treat the voice of authority figures with unquestioning obedience and respect.
If you look at that Wikipedia page, you’ll see that the largest correlation, in America, with authoritarian personality, is being poorly educated or being an evangelical protestant.
If you really think there are zero preachers who honestly believe in their religion, then you are just as divorced from reality as they are.
Oh I believe some believe in the lie, but it’s still a con and does not make it true.
I understand what you mean, then, but I think it’s part of a definition of a con man that they know they are deceiving others.
Perhaps, but the cognitive dissonance is real with these people. For example: eating and drinking the flesh and blood of a deity. Some are told to believe they are, but deep down know it’s a lie.
That’s the thing about those in power. They just need to be convincing enough to get a few people who are gullible, or easily-manipulated for one reason or another, to genuinely believe what they say, and then it snowballs from there
The authoritarian personality is a personality type characterized by a disposition to treat the voice of authority figures with unquestioning obedience and respect.
If you look at that Wikipedia page, you’ll see that the largest correlation, in America, with authoritarian personality, is being poorly educated or being an evangelical protestant.