I find this thread extremely interesting. One thing I'm very curious about
is evidence to support some of the claims made. For example, is there any
reliable evidence indicating the number of psychologists that tolerate "new
age" ideas? How do the tolerate it? And, what specifically is meant by
"new age" ideas?
An examination of the scientific literature indicates psychologists study
religion, spirituality, etc. a great deal. As a matter of fact, there is
a great deal of research support indicating health benefits to spirituality
and prayer. This doesn't indicate any "new age" favoritism, but simply
scientific evidence. Considering prayer and spirituality are common
elements in most structured religions - this evidence should be viewed with
enthusiasm.
Diana Kyle
Fullerton College
Bill Barton wrote:
> I think this conversation is typical of most conversations in academia.
> There has been, and continues to be, a huge bias against religion in
> most departments of psychology, and by most psychologist, in which
> religion is seen as a primitive belief system that is clearly inferior
> to science. The one exception to this is that many psychologists are
> able to tolerate and accept "new age" ideas regarding spirituality, yet
> are generally intolerant and unaccepting of other religious belief
> systems such as fundamental or evangelical Christianity or Judaism..
> And I should point out, that this sort of bias and the resulting
> behavior clearly does not meet the letter or spirit of the APA ethical
> code's mandate to respect and be supportive of diversity.
>
> All people b believe in some sort of "truth." Even when people adopt a
> relativistic view of things (e.g., all religions are equally valid and
> useful, etc.), they are still adopting an absolute belief that things
> are indeed relative. In that sense, they are absolutist in their
> belief in relativism.
>
> In sum, I agree with the previous poster who stated that these recent
> posts have sounded quite intolerant of those who are religious and
> consider their faith important to them.
>
> We all strive to find a sense of meaning in our lives. Some use
> science. Some use faith. Me? I would sure hate to be in a position
> where I would have to explain to my maker why I spent a lifetime
> "worshiping" science and denigrating faith.
>
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