Season 4 Episode 6 Confirmation Bias (again)

[Dr. Shane]

So, with as much humility as I can muster, I admit that I may have influenced the writing of this episode. About a year before Season 4 was filmed, I wrote the producer a letter (one of many). I don't know if he read it but I sent it snail mail and he did send me a Christmas card that year. In previous seasons, the Maccabees had been mentioned. I suggested that they make a Hanukkah episode and tell the story of the Maccabees. I liked it. But that is not the overall message I took away from this episode.

Confirmation bias is a psychological construct that is displayed in us that it takes very little evidence to convince us of something that we want to believe. However, it takes an extraordinary amount of evidence to convince us of something we do not want to believe. In this episode we saw it especially in Judas. Judas, and the other disciples, believed that Jesus was going to liberate them from the Roman oppression. Jesus told them He was going to lay down His life. It went in one ear and out the other. Judas especially (at least in the TV series) is hung up on the idea that Jesus is going to have an Earthly kingdom. When Judas says he wants to see the kingdom of Jesus to come, he is thinking of an Earthly kingdom with Earthly glory. He is not thinking about how it actually played out in first century Christianity that saw all the apostles martyred except John.

The religious leaders tried to stone Jesus in the temple, (in this episode). After, they are back in the lodging, Mary asked Jesus if He hurts, He says He does - inside and out. She responds that she hurts inside too and asks why. Jesus responds, "Because you have been listening." This dialogue is not in the Bible. I like what the producers are doing. Mary doesn't have the agenda that the rest of the disciples have. Deep down she realizes that something bad is going to happen to Jesus. The others do not see that because they are blinded by confirmation bias. They have always been taught the Messiah will free them from Roman rule. They cannot grasp the idea of the suffering Servant of Isaiah 53.

What is your agenda? Do you have cherished beliefs that you could never change your mind about?

• How about the use of jewelry? Regardless if you believe it is OK or it is sinful. Either way - is that a cherished belief?
• What about Sabbath-keeping practices? Do you believe eating in a restaurant or watching TV is a sin? If you do or don't - is that a cherished belief?
• What about paying your tithe to an organized religious denomination? Regardless if you believe there is a specific place for tithe or not - is that a cherished belief?
• What about mixing religion and politics? Is it OK for a minister to preach politics from the pulpit? Yes, or no, either way - is that a cherished belief?
• What about your diet? Is there just one diet approved by God?

The list can go on and on,,, and it should. It is a good habit for each of us to make such lists.  How well do you know yourself? Do you even know what your cherished beliefs are and how blind you are to see the other side?  You should or you may end up like the disciples, maybe even like Judas.