American Protestantism in the Age of Psychology
Many have worried that the ubiquitous practice of psychology and psychotherapy in America has corrupted religious faith, eroded civic virtue, and weakened community life. But an examination of the history of three major psycho-spiritual movements since World War II – Alcoholics Anonymous, The Salvation Army's outreach to homeless men, and the “clinical pastoral education” movement – reveals the opposite. These groups developed a practical religious psychology that nurtured faith, fellowship, and personal responsibility. They achieved this by including religious traditions and spiritual activities in their definition of therapy and by putting clergy and lay believers to work as therapists. Under such care, spiritual and emotional growth reinforced each other. Thanks to these innovations, the three movements succeeded in reaching millions of socially alienated and religiously disenchanted Americans. They demonstrated that religion and psychology, although antithetical in some eyes, could be blended effectively to foster community, individual responsibility, and happier lives.
1101576193
American Protestantism in the Age of Psychology
Many have worried that the ubiquitous practice of psychology and psychotherapy in America has corrupted religious faith, eroded civic virtue, and weakened community life. But an examination of the history of three major psycho-spiritual movements since World War II – Alcoholics Anonymous, The Salvation Army's outreach to homeless men, and the “clinical pastoral education” movement – reveals the opposite. These groups developed a practical religious psychology that nurtured faith, fellowship, and personal responsibility. They achieved this by including religious traditions and spiritual activities in their definition of therapy and by putting clergy and lay believers to work as therapists. Under such care, spiritual and emotional growth reinforced each other. Thanks to these innovations, the three movements succeeded in reaching millions of socially alienated and religiously disenchanted Americans. They demonstrated that religion and psychology, although antithetical in some eyes, could be blended effectively to foster community, individual responsibility, and happier lives.
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American Protestantism in the Age of Psychology

American Protestantism in the Age of Psychology

by Stephanie Muravchik
American Protestantism in the Age of Psychology

American Protestantism in the Age of Psychology

by Stephanie Muravchik

Hardcover

$99.99 
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Overview

Many have worried that the ubiquitous practice of psychology and psychotherapy in America has corrupted religious faith, eroded civic virtue, and weakened community life. But an examination of the history of three major psycho-spiritual movements since World War II – Alcoholics Anonymous, The Salvation Army's outreach to homeless men, and the “clinical pastoral education” movement – reveals the opposite. These groups developed a practical religious psychology that nurtured faith, fellowship, and personal responsibility. They achieved this by including religious traditions and spiritual activities in their definition of therapy and by putting clergy and lay believers to work as therapists. Under such care, spiritual and emotional growth reinforced each other. Thanks to these innovations, the three movements succeeded in reaching millions of socially alienated and religiously disenchanted Americans. They demonstrated that religion and psychology, although antithetical in some eyes, could be blended effectively to foster community, individual responsibility, and happier lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781107010673
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication date: 07/18/2011
Pages: 256
Product dimensions: 6.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Dr Stephanie Muravchik is an Associate Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture. She holds a PhD in American History from the University of Virginia and was previously a Fellow at the Miller Center of Public Affairs.

Table of Contents

Introduction: 1. The fall and rise of psycho-religious cooperation; Part I. Therapy as Ministry in Clinical Pastoral Education: 2. The priest must drink at the scientific well; 3. Being the love of God; Part II. Therapy as Fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous: 4. Democracy is a therapy; 5. Came to believe; Part III. Therapy as Evangelism in The Salvation Army: 6. Freud is not a suitable psychologist; 7. New creatures in Christ; Conclusion: 8. American psychology in an age of faiths.
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