Hi Rod,
My non-angry response is that, while I agree that we have a responsibility
to be
"sensitive to" the spiritual (and otherwise) worldviews of our students, I
strongly
disagree that we have any obligations to "affirm" such views. If their
views are
either irrelevant to, or contradictory to, scientific psychology, I neither
should nor
can affirm them. But perhaps you meant something different by "affirm"
than I do?
-Mike
P.S., I'm not being facetious, but do you think that the Bible is more
"consistent
with modern psychological knowledge" than most any other text? More than the
Dhammapada, or Homer, or Shakespeare? If so, could you please explain?
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Rod.
At 12:06 PM 2/22/01 -0500, Roderick D. Hetzel wrote:
>Hi everyone:
>
>As usual, it's an interesting conversation whenever we discuss religion on
>this
>list. To play "devil's advocate" (pun intended), although I wouldn't use
>Scripture to date the age of the universe, the principles of the Bible are
>actually very consistent with modern psychological knowledge and human
>nature.
>I make this assertion as a Christian and a psychologist.
>
>However, is the Bible appropriate to use in a classroom at a secular
>university?
>The answer to that question is obviously (to me) no. On the other hand, if
>students come to you during office hours and want help in understanding the
>science of psychology from a Christian perspective, can we talk with them and
>help them in this endeavor? If discussing Christian theology falls within
>your
>area of competence, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, to be in
>adherence
>to the principles of the Ethical Guidelines of the APA, I would argue that we
>need to be sensitive to the religious and spiritual worldviews of our
>students
>and act in a way that affirms and does not diminish their faith worldviews.
>Note that this does not mean that we can not challenge our students to
>continue
>to develop their worldviews, but I'm afraid too many of my colleagues in
>psychology push their own scientific worldview in a manner that offends and
>excludes those with faith-based worldviews. The problem is that many people
>(including, and perhaps especially, psychologists) have only a cursory
>understanding of Scripture and Christian principles. That leads them to the
>conclusion that what is in the Bible can not possibly be consistent with our
>"enlightened" contemporary perspectives. So, I would suggest that we
>attempt to
>broaden our own perspectives by considering the possibility that Christian
>theology and scholarly inquiry in psychology may be complementary rather than
>contradictory.
>
>Eagerly awaiting your angry responses, :)
>
>Rod
>
>
>--
>Roderick D. Hetzel, Ph.D.
>Department of Psychology
>College of Liberal Arts
>Rochester Institute of Technology
>92 Lomb Memorial Drive, Building 06
>Rochester, New York 14623-5604
>716-475-5366 (phone)
>[EMAIL PROTECTED] (email)
************************************************
Michael J. Kane
Department of Psychology
P.O. Box 26164
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC 27402-6164
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
phone: 336-256-1022
fax: 336-334-5066
