Assigning Blame: Use With Caution

I have written previously about the term 'everything happens for a reason' as a technique to utilize the inherent trust many people have in this concept. I also wrote about how superstition can be a powerful persuasive tool. If you've read those articles and put the tools to work in your life, you already understand the power they hold.

Well, assigning blame is the other side of the 'everything happens for a reason'/'there are no accidents' coin. Wherein both of these concepts use our prospect's belief in an ordered, equitable universe, assigning blame uses a common enemy as a means to persuade.

Better hang on here if you are religiously oriented because I'm going to shake the tree just a little bit here. (Disclaimer: My intention is never to intrude on anyone's beliefs or practices because I vehemently believe in Freedom of Religion and to me, this extends to spiritual practice of all kind. But, like it or not, religion and spirituality are intertwined with everything in life and I use the examples below to teach persuasion, not to push my beliefs or dissuade yours.)

In group theory, there's a lot of discussion about enemies, common enemies. One of the greatest ways you can ever use to bond a group is for them to have a common enemy.

Let's start with Christianity as an example. What's the common enemy of Christianity? Well, you probably know right off the top of your head, it's the devil. How is this installed in Christians from an early age? Well, we start saying things like, 'We as humans are born into a world of sin and the mere act of being born causes us to not be able to get into the life hereafter until and unless we accept Jesus as our savior.'

That's pretty intense. Let's look at the enemy. The enemy is, just being born, because we're born into sin. Who's responsible for that? The devil.

This is a great tool. I heard someone say many years ago, 'The devil is the best friend the Christian ever had because without him, there would be no need for a savior.' Think about the word 'savior'. Savior implies someone needs saving. And if you're born into sin, you in fact do need saving.

I am not debating any of this. I am, in a way, being the devil's advocate (so to speak) and standing back to look at the larger picture. By removing my won beliefs, I am pointing out how you can see this too.

None of this is to say that having a common enemy is a bad thing. In fact, I think it's a great thing to use, but carefully and responsibly.

Another advantage of a common enemy who you can't see (such as the devil) is that things such as basic drives and desires can be attributed to the influence of said being. . . (i.e. lust, gluttony, etc.)

We have an inherent need to assign blame. In fact, it's so fundamental to the core of who we are that everybody does this.

Here's a political example: We have a 'War on Terror' and a 'War on Poverty' and yet, it's virtually impossible to argue that anyone is FOR 'terror' or 'poverty'. These are virtual cultural common enemies. However, terror and poverty are concepts, not actual, tangible physical beings against which a war can be won. Take note at how insanely powerful they are as enemies. If winning a 'war' against a concept were possible, I'd most certainly sign up and fight.

Look to the contrast between 'things happen for a reason' and the concept of blame.

A word of warning: I wouldn't dwell in the land of negativity, it's like a double-edged sword. It cuts going and coming. Be very careful.

Article Source: http://www.rightbiz.com

Kenrick Cleveland teaches techniques to earn the business of wealthy clients using persuasion. He runs public and private seminars and offers home study courses and coaching programs in persuasion techniques.

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