Is faith the answer to cognitive dissonance?

Cognitive dissonance is an uncomfortable feeling caused by holding two contradictory ideas simultaneously (Cognitive dissonance - Wikipedia). I guess this whole forum is one huge example!Understanding that Faith is a belief "not resting on logical proof or material evidence." (Faith - Wikipedia - I am open to discuss alternative definitions)I wonder.Is faith the answer given by religion, and more interestingly, accepted by its' followers to short circuit cognitive dissonance?

Belief not resting on logical proof or material evidence.Like the global flood incident, Noah's ark, waling on water, magically turning water into wine...Apparently these things "require faith" to believe as they contradict what we know about the laws of physics, chemistry, modern geology and general reality.Edited by killinghurts, : spellingEdited by killinghurts, : examplesEdited by killinghurts, : grammar

That's interesting.I wonder though, without the "faith" bandage would the cognitive dissonance then appear later? I.e do the people with faith, when finally presented with contrary evidence (which is inevitable in this day and age), then point to their faith as a way of relieving confusion.

No they are not "assured" and this is precisely what I am getting at... If you and your partner get engaged there is a chance that the engagement might not be fulfilled into marrigage, correct? Lots of engagements don't work for various reasons.However, in order to for you to not feel uncomfortable (i.e feel a cognitive dissonance) you must assure yourself (and perhaps even lie to yourself) to give you confidence that you have made the correct decision.e.g:"Oh I hope he/she really loves me""I hope she/he doesn't go back to his ex-girlfirend/boyfriend"There is no material or logical evidence to assume that the above wont happen, you must "have faith" or reassure yourself that you have made the right decision based on no evidence.Now apply the same line of thought to the bible and it's claims of supernatural happenings...

You're certainly not alone. I propose cognitive dissonance made you not believe in the more spectacular miracles...and the lesser spectacular, the less you need to justify your beliefs to yourself and others. Just a guess of course Edited by killinghurts, : No reason given.