Abstract
Moral philosophers and theologians argue that the human family is governed by natural law. While philosophers might rationally argue for this, theologians resort to revelation. In theologians’ understanding human family is part of the plan of God. Can scientific psychology provide some empirical evidence for “the natural law” argument? If yes, how could psychology enhance the pastoral care of families today? The aim of the present conceptual paper is to offer some contemporary evidence from evolutionary psychology and neurobiology to suggest that, after all, the human brain may be hire-wired for the family. It will go on to reflect on the role of the family in the growth of a Christian in the light some emerging insights from psychology. The later part of the paper will focus on the association between individuals’ […]
Psychology of Religion
Psychology of Religion
1 Psychology of Religion: An historical overview
This research project is situated within the field of psychology of religion. “Why should we study religion psychologically?” Spilka and colleagues (2003) begin their book on the psychology of religion with this question. It is worth studying religion from the perspective of psychology because the majority of the people of the world take religion seriously, and it influences their motivation, cognition, behaviour and wellbeing. Therefore, the psychology of religion uses the theoretical framework and methods of general psychology to study the influence of spiritual and religious phenomena on people. (Emmons & Paloutzian, 2003; Gorsuch, 1988; Hill & Gibson, 2008; Jonte-Pace & Parsons, 2001; Spilka, Hood, Hunsberger & Gorsuch, 2003, pp.1-19; Wulff, 1997, pp.1-19).
There are basically three major strands in studies that relate psychology and religion: (a) Religious Psychology discusses psychological findings within the discourse of religion – Christianity; pastoral psychology as an offshoot of this approach draws insight from psychology […]
2 Conceptualizing Religion and Spirituality
In the recent years, it has become a matter of routine in the introductory sections of the works of psychology of religion (Hill & Pargament, 2003, p.64-65; Spilka, Hood, Hunsberger, & Gorsuch, 2003, pp.8-11; Wulff, 1996, pp.5-7), and indeed in other social sciences studying religion (Heelas & Woodhead, 2005; Ludskow, 2008), to make a distinction between religion and spirituality. The titles of several journals respect this distinction. Some of the journals have even changed their names to appear inclusive. Division 36 of the American Psychological Association (APA) has been renamed as ‘Society for the study of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality’ (Pargament, 1999; Stifoss-Hanssen, 1999).
My Classnotes in PDF – CLICK ON LINK: PR02 Definitions of Religion
Reading Material: Towards Religious-Spirituality: A Multidimensional Matrix of Religion and Spirituality
Abstract of the article:
In the contemporary study of religion there seems to be an exaggeration of the distinction between religion and spirituality, not only to the point […]
3 Freudian Critique of Religion & its Corollaries
DOWNLOAD MY CLASS NOTES IN PDF: <<CLICK HERE>>
WATCH A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE: <<CLICK HERE>>
SOME SUMMARY POINTS:
Religion: an illusion and a delusion;
Religion was once necessary to restrain man’s violent nature in the early stages of civilization, but today science and reason can replace it (The Future of an Illusion, 1927).
Freud’s Conclusion: all religious belief can be explained through its function to society, not for its relation to the truth.
Religious rituals have the characteristics of neurotic compulsions (like washing hands):
Repeated;
To be performed exactly;
Feeling good (calm) when completed;
Anxiety if omitted or ‘not performed rightly”.
By providing a possibility for expression of collective neurosis, religion might protect us from individual neurosis.
4 Jung on Religion
Undoubtedly Jung’s contribution to religion is persistent up to this day. Particularly among transpersonal psychologists (in the study of consciousness) Jungian terminologies have proved useful. My class notes introduce the student to a set of terminology that typical of Jung, which are basic to understanding him. Final section of the class focuses on the implication of Jungian concepts for Psychology of Religion and Spirituality.
DOWNLOAD MY CLASSNOTES IN PDF: PR04 Jung
WEB-SOURCES ON JUNG
1. The Jung Page: A complete website dedicated to Jungian Psychology
2. Jung Lexican: Terms and Concepts related to Jungian psychology
INTERESTING VIDEOS OF JUNG ON YOUTUBE:
1. Face to Face interview by BBC
2. The World Within – Jung in his own words