April Book of the Month
Disclaimer: The following review discusses themes related to psychology, religion, and sensitive cultural topics. The perspectives and content reflect those presented by the authors of the reviewed book and do not necessarily represent the views of The Milton H. Erickson Foundation.
How Religion Finds Its Way in a Predominantly Secular World
In Psychology’s War on Religion, Nicholas Cummings, William O’Donohue, and Janet Cummings present a collection of essays by multiple authors, including themselves, that examine the often-fraught relationship between psychology and religion.
The Main Idea
Through these essays, the editors and contributors argue that psychology has historically overlooked or actively marginalized religion, particularly when individuals’ faith-based identities conflict with prevailing psychological norms.
Spirituality and the Search for Support
According to a 2024 survey by the American Psychiatric Association, 60 percent of adults report that faith or spirituality significantly influences their mental wellness, and nearly 25 percent of those seeking therapy initially approach their religious institutions. Yet only half feel their communities openly address mental health without stigma. The book contends that this disconnect reflects a broader failure within mainstream psychology to fully appreciate and integrate the role of religious belief into psychological support systems.
Mainstream Psychology’s Bend Towards Science
One essay explores the historical relationship between psychology and religion, noting early connections through figures such as G. Stanley Hall and William James, who engaged seriously with spiritual themes in their psychological work. It then traces the field’s shift to scientific paradigms over the course of the 20th century, shaped in part by Freud’s framing of religion as pathological and Skinner’s emphasis on empirical approaches to social reform. This progression reflects the book’s broader concern that psychology, in prioritizing scientific objectivity, has often distanced itself from religious worldviews.
Key Areas of Conflict
Throughout the book, contributors identify specific areas where psychology has positioned itself as a moral and scientific authority, including subjects such as homosexuality, abortion, women's rights, sexual behaviors, bioethics, creationism, and the death penalty. In one of the essays, the authors question psychology’s claim to moral neutrality. They support their argument by citing Carl Hempel’s assertion that science alone cannot determine moral values.
A subject that’s discussed in detail is the American Psychological Association’s (APA) position that therapists should not engage in efforts to change a client's sexual orientation. This stance is based on concerns about ethical implications and potential harm. While the book acknowledges these concerns, it also argues that this stance may inadvertently marginalize clients whose religious beliefs are in tension with their sexual orientation. In such cases, it advocates for greater consideration of religious values within therapeutic contexts, emphasizing the need for therapists to sensitively navigate the complex interplay between personal identity, religious belief, and psychological well-being.
Psychology and World Religions
Several essays offer a comparative analysis of how psychology interacts with major religions:
• Judaism: Noted for relatively harmonious coexistence, as Jewish teachings often complement psychological insights.
• Christianity (Catholicism): Presented as having the most contentious relationship, marked by significant ideological clashes.
• Islam: Depicted as receiving more tolerance due to perceived multicultural sensitivities, although issues regarding women's rights remain largely unaddressed.
• Buddhism: Psychology’s embrace of Zen practices is scrutinized for misunderstanding authentic Buddhist goals, which emphasize transcending both sorrow and joy, contrasting with psychology’s outcome-oriented approach.
• Mormonism: Highlighted as experiencing notable conflict, particularly around issues such as sexuality, women's roles, and abortion, with criticism directed toward psychology for potentially biased stances.
Recommendations and Constructive Criticism
The editors and contributors encourage psychology to move away from portraying itself as the definitive moral and scientific authority on contentious topics. Instead, they recommend greater openness to religious perspectives, suggesting a mutual dialogue to enhance understanding of human behaviors and mental processes.
The book concludes by emphasizing the growth of faith-based counseling and calling for increased inclusivity of diverse religious beliefs in psychological practice.
Final Thoughts
Psychology’s War on Religion offers a provocative critique of the psychological field’s relationship with religion. Bringing several voices together, this collection of essays encourages professionals to reflect on their assumptions and biases. Ultimately, the book invites psychologists to build more inclusive and spiritually sensitive practices —practices that honor the full spectrum of human identity, including religious faith.
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by Janet L. Cummings, William O'Donohue, and Nicholas A. Cummings
Type: Softcover
"Psychology attempts to deify “science” as a secular substitute for religion, according to the authors of Psychology’s War on Religion edited by Cummings, O’Donohue and Cummings. The current growing conflicts between evidenced- based treatments versus faith- based counseling is just one example of this. Readers will be energized by the re-examination of the intolerance of science toward faith-based values that drive our secular society. Issues of abortion, homosexuality, status of women, gay rights, bioethics of stem-cell research, ethical absolutism versus ethical relativism, and “scientism” (scientific moralism) all come under scrutiny. The authors discuss the hypocrisy of viewing debates over conflicting research data as unbiased intellectual freedom and considering debates over legal, social and political issues derived from religious teachings as expressions of prejudice. This book challenges one’s value system and revitalizes the reader with fresh thinking."
— Jack G. Wiggins, Ph.D., Psy.D. A former President of APA and Gold Medal Award Winner for Lifetime Achievements in Practice by the American Psychological Foundation
If you truly believe in respect for diversity and in the fuller utilization of patients’ resources to promote health, this book will give you much to consider. Poll after poll reveals that 90% of Americans believe in God, and it behooves psychology not to alienate those we are committed to serve, but to respect and utilize this force in the healing process.
— Michael F. Hoyt, Ph.D., author of Brief Psychotherapies: Principles and Practices, Some Stories Are Better than Others, and The Present is a Gift
“Fascinating” “Infuriating” “Enlightening” “Exasperating”—whatever words you use to describe this book, “boring” won’t be one of them. In 12 chapters, the editors and their contributors reveal that not only is there an overt bias toward the religious within the APA, but often there is outright hostility.
by Joanne Gitner
Type: Softcover
Through addressing religion and spiritual beliefs and biases, Joanne opens up another valuable resource that can be tapped into for clients. By taking the time to engage in the activities presented at important junctures of the book, readers can gain a better understanding of the material and move from a theoretical perspective to actual hands-on work and application that can enhance our beliefs and understanding of our own work and the experience of clients. The Fifth Position is a great addition to any practitioner’s library. It not only provides valuable insights and information, but it provides guidance and practical reflections that will help those in the counseling profession be more inclusive and complete in their counseling interactions.
JOANNE GINTER holds degrees in psychology and religious studies, and has 35 years of clinical experience, including as a clinical supervisor. She is a member of the Canadian Psychologist’s
Association, the American Psychologist’s Association (Associate), and Play Therapy Canada.
“Religion and spirituality are two essential elements of cultural competence. Whatever your own background and beliefs might be, Joanne Ginter will prepare you for working effectively with this important aspect of human diversity.”
—Scott D. Miller, Ph.D
Director, International Center for Clinical Excellence
“Ginter’s insightful and sensitive analysis of religion and resiliency will be sure to generate spirited conversation and new insights for psychotherapeutic practice. Her intercultural approach, with attention to diversity and context, opens up some of the mysteries of how religion works in
people’s lives. Cases are woven throughout the chapters, making Ginter’s theoretical proposals come alive. This is a very useful and well-written book; I highly recommend it!”
—Tracy J. Trothen
Associate Professor, Registered Psychotherapist
School of Religion, Queen’s University
“Ginter ably meshes insights from the academic study of religion with current thinking on the importance of fostering resilience in psychotherapy. The result is a timely and stimulating synthesis of great value to therapists practicing in a religiously and culturally pluralistic milieu.”
—William Morrow
Prof., Hebrew and Hebrew Scriptures, School of Religion
Queen’s University, Kingston ON
This documentary explores the personal life and incredible career work of Milton H. Erickson, M.D., founder of Modern Hypnotherapy. This unsung American genius was a pioneer in psychiatry using radical and unconventional hypnotic techniques to cure not only patients but to control his own debilitating pain and paralysis.
The work of Milton H. Erickson, M.D., often referred to as “The Mozart of Communication,” shocked the scientific community with new and effective theories for therapeutic intervention, which even today defy scientific explanation. But it is his personal story that commands our initial attention.
How does a child born in the silver mining community of Aurum, Nevada, and soon to be ghost town at 7,500 feet above sea level, survive all odds after being stricken with polio to grow into the man destined to become an evolutionary genius in the fields of hypnosis and psychotherapy?
To overcome paralysis and chronic, debilitating pain and muscle wasting, Dr. Erickson ignored his doctor’s prognosis of helplessness and hopelessness, and went on to invent a protocol for hypnosis, which controls the mind, body and spirit. His exceptional work exposes his true genius and continues to lend hope and curative relief to vast numbers of patients through the hypnotic techniques he developed.
In “Wizard of the Desert,” we see an extraordinarily gifted and extremely disciplined man in a wheelchair, whose victories over severe pain, paralysis and life altering medical conditions continue to inspire awe long after his death. Uncompromising in the demands he placed on himself and his family, Dr. Erickson’s story redefined medical philosophies and continues to mesmerize students and audiences alike.
Through the eyes of those closest to him, our film reveals three dimensions of this unsung American genius whose contributions to modern psychotherapy and hypnosis forever memorialized him as the…”The Mozart of Communication; The Eccentric; and The Wounded Healer.”
Harmonizing Psychotherapy & Community To Enhance Everyday Living
by Erving Polster
Type: Softcover
Uncommon Ground invites readers to consider the psychotherapy of the future, not just in broad philosophical ways, but in specific, application-oriented ways. Erving Polster, whose decades of distinguished contributions have made him a preeminent voice in the field, urges his colleagues to step out of the status quo to think creatively about how psychotherapy might be made more accessible to greater numbers of people over longer periods of time.
“Full of wisdom and humor, Erving Polster gives us a book about the future of psychotherapy as well as about what is important in the human experience. Brilliant! From the man who contributed so much to Encounter Groups of the 1960s, comes the development of a new kind of group therapy for the 21st century. A must read for every therapist – and for everyone interested in relationships and community.”
–Cloe Madanes, President The Robbins-Madanes Center for Strategic Intervention, La Jolla, CA
“What Dr. Polster has done in his groundbreaking new book is first tie together and give meaning and coherence to the disparate groupings that already exist in our lives, whether newcomers to welcoming committees, cancer survivors, book clubs, seniors’ associations, or other groups focusing on specific interests of various kinds. Then Polster proposes that everyone should have the opportunity to join a group in which he or she could feel connected and thus avoid alienation. On some level, it is what religion or therapy attempts, but Polster’s ‘life-focus communities’ would function outside of these dimensions. I believe that such groups would reduce the crime rate and promote emotional balance in participants. I, for one, would be ready to join.”
–Natahsa Josefowitz, Ph.D. Professor of management (retired). Author of 17 books, including “Retirement: Making it the Next Great Adventure.”
Erving Polster is Director of the Gestalt Training Center – San Diego. Established by him and his wife, Miriam Polster, in 1973, the center has attracted international attention. Dr. Polster is also Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego. Widely published, he coauthored with Miriam the essential Gestalt Therapy Integrated (Vintage, 1974)
