I do have a serious question, though. Why doesn't anyone ever present a
hypothetical situation where the psychologist is a passionate atheist
(or secular humanist) who holds disdain or pity for his overly religious
client, pathologizes him for his commitment to his faith, and tries to
get him to give up his nutty religious beliefs and accept a more secular
worldview. I guess that situation just never occurs in real life...
Actually, Albert Ellis used to forcefully present an anti-religious view, because he objected to a fundamentalist position. (e.g. Ellis, Albert Case Against Religion - A Psychotherapists View and the Case Against Religiosity Paperback 1980)
He recently published an article in which he discusses why he had modified his views to accept the value of certain kinds of religious beliefs for some of his clients, how the philosophies of REBT are similar to those of some religious people, and "how REBT is compatible with some important religious views and can be used effectively with many clients who have absolutistic philosophies about God and religion."
Ellis, A. Can Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) be effectively used with people who have devout beliefs in God and religion? Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2000, Vol. 31, No. 1, 29-33.
Sorry it took me so long to reply, but it took me a while to track down the reference for the recent article.
Riki Koenigsberg, PhD ---
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