Hello, As always I'm interested in your reactions.
Recently I've been reading a series of articles on Christian psychology and sin. One of the common viewpoints expressed is that secular psychology has dropped this word from its vocabulary. Arguably Christian psychologists, as well as religious psychologists in general, see sin as a more prevalent aspect of culture, as well as useful in explaining the state of that culture. But should secular psychologists? Do you view sin as a useful concept, as a part of the vocabulary of psychology? Or should it be restricted to religious circles? In 1973 Karl Menninger wrote a book titled "Whatever became of sin?" Not from a Christian or religious perspective, he nonetheless asked the question, and argued that moral values and sin needed to remain part of psychology's lexicon and purview. But it is likely this call went unheeded. Is it possible that we've overemphasized mental health, and mental unhealth, as the cause for people's problems, and in doing so overlooked the growing "moral sickness" in our society? Further, is there any reason a non-religious psychologist would view the concept of sin as useful in the teaching of psychology? Mark McMinn, a Christian psychologist, argues that sin - and living in a fallen world - is useful to the teaching of psychology. He notes that the average general psych textbook will probably not include the word "sin," and yet evidence for the consequences of sin are can be found throughout the pages: -in the chapter on the human nervous system you are likely to encounter descriptions of how serotonin deficits contribute to clinical depression, and how dopamine excesses are attributed to schizophrenia -in human development we see sin passed from one generation to another: the demanding, authoritative parent raises a child who is timid, unconfident, and secretive. The permissive uninvolved parent raises irresponsible children who show little regard for others -the chapter on cognition describes how we tend to be overconfident in our opinions, how we seek information for what we already believe -studies in social psychology demonstrate we blame others for their problems, as well as our problems; other studies demonstrate us overestimating our abilities. Classic studies like Milgram�s teach us how prone we are to follow authority, even when it is corrupt, and Zimbardo�s prison studies, demonstrating our human capacity to oppress others In sum, each page reminds us of the stained and tattered state of human nature. Things are not as they are supposed to be. Fair argument? Or not? If not, and sin cannot or does not explain the fallen, imperfect world and its systems, what does? How do you explain to yourself, to your students, the reasons, the etiology behind the dark side of our world? Thanks, Jim ************************************************************************ Jim Guinee, Ph.D. Director of Training & Adjunct Professor President, Arkansas College Counselor Association University of Central Arkansas Counseling Center 313 Bernard Hall Conway, AR 72035 USA (501) 450-3138 (office) (501) 450-3248 (fax) "He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it" -Martin Luther King, Jr. ************************************************************************** --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
