E-Book Overview
The argument of this book is that the divide between psychiatry and religion is an artificial one and that there is much room for understanding the same phenomena from different perspectives. In it thirteen senior mental health professionals and pastoral workers come together to explore what their different philosophies have to offer each other for the benefit of the individuals in their care. The book as a whole: * sets the relationship between psychiatry and religion in historical context * provides detailed information about specific religions and the significance of their belief systems for mental health management * examines the relationship between psychopathology, psychiatry and religion.
E-Book Content
Psychiatry and Religion In Psychiatry and Religion: Context, Consensus and Controversies fifteen senior mental health practitioners and pastoral workers come together to explore what their different philosophies have to offer for the benefit of individuals in their care. An artificial division between spiritual and psychological welfare has led to a parting of the ways between religion and psychiatry and this book attempts to narrow the divide, claiming that there is much room for understanding the same phenomena from different perspectives. With the aim of promoting greater understanding, the book examines the relationship from three angles. The first places it in its historical context, uncovering the reasons behind the division. In the second part contributors examine the significance of particular belief systems for mental health management. A variety of denominational perspectives are covered, ranging from established traditions such as Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam to newer, developing religions. The concluding part examines specific issues, looking particularly at the perceived positive and negative effects that strict moral codes and religious rituals can produce. Psychiatry and Religion: Context, Consensus and Controversies offers mental health practitioners and pastoral workers new ways of approaching the needs of mentally ill people in their care. It challenges misconceptions and paves the way for greater mutual trust and understanding from which the patient will gain. Dinesh Bhugra is Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry in London. The contributors: Eileen Barker, Khalipha Bility, Howard Cooper, John Cox, Padmal de Silva, Aziz Esmail, Peter Fenwick, John Foskett, K. W. M. Fulford, Ezra Griffith, Maurice Lipsedge, Roland Littlewood, Tony Nayani, Mark Sutherland. Psychiatry and Religion Context, Consensus and Controversies Edited by Dinesh Bhugra London and New York First published 1996 by Routledge 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2006. “To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s collection of thousands of eBooks please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.” First published in paperback 1997 © 1996 The edited collection as a whole, Dinesh Bhugra; individual chapters, the contributors All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the Library of Congress ISBN 0-203-13799-X Master e-book ISBN ISBN 0-203-18569-2 (Adobe eReader Format) ISBN 0-