James Guinee wrote: > 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
How are these consequences of sin? > -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 Unless these errors are intentional, I don't see how they count as sin. Parenting can be taught. Dismissing poor parenting as sin does not help solve the problem. The remaining examples are instances of cognitive biases that ARE part of "human nature," but what understanding is added by characterizing them as sinful? > -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. Reality isn't always what it is supposed to be, but calling it sin doesn't make it what it should be. > If not, and sin cannot or does not explain the fallen, imperfect world and > its systems, what does? Ignorance rather than knowledge. -- ***************************************************************** * Mike Scoles * [EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Department of Psychology * voice: (501) 450-5418 * * University of Central Arkansas * fax: (501) 450-5424 * * Conway, AR 72035-0001 * * ********* http://www.coe.uca.edu/psych/scoles/index.html ******** --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
