Psychology Of Religion: A Short Introduction

PsyPrel.qxd 25/11/03 07:06 Page i The Psychology of Religion A SHORT INTRODUCTION PsyPrel.qxd 25/11/03 07:06 Page ii RELATED TITLES PUBLISHED BY ONEWORLD Christianity and other Religions: Selected Readings, edited by John Hick and Brian Hebblethwaite, ISBN 1–85168–279–1 Concepts of God: Images of the Divine in Five Religious Traditions, Keith Ward, ISBN 1–85168–064–0 Ethics in the World Religions, edited by Joseph Runzo and Nancy M. Martin, ISBN 1–85168–247–3 The Fifth Dimension, John Hick, ISBN 1–85168–191–4 Global Philosophy of Religion: A Short Introduction, Joseph Runzo, ISBN 1–85168–235–X God,Chance and Necessity, Keith Ward, ISBN 1–85168–116–7 God, Faith and the New Millennium, Keith Ward, ISBN 1–85168–155–8 God: A Guide for the Perplexed, Keith Ward, ISBN 1–85168–323–2 Interfaith Theology: A Reader, edited by Dan Cohn-Sherbok, ISBN 1–85168–276–7 Inter-religious Dialogue: A Short Introduction, Martin Forward, ISBN 1–85168–275–9 Love, Sex and Gender in the World Religions, edited by Joseph Runzo and Nancy M. Martin, ISBN 1–85168–223–6 The Meaning of Life in the World Religions, edited by Joseph Runzo and Nancy M. Martin, ISBN 1–85168–200–7 The Phenomenon of Religion: A Thematic Approach, Moojan Momen, ISBN 1–85168–161–2 Pluralism in the World Religions: A Short Introduction, Harold Coward, ISBN 1–85168–243–0 Religion: A Beginner’s Guide, Martin Forward, ISBN 1–85168–258–9 Scripture in the World Religions: A Short Introduction, Harold Coward, ISBN 1–85168–244–9 Sin and Salvation in the World Religions, Harold Coward, ISBN 1–85168–319–4 PsyPrel.qxd 25/11/03 07:06 Page iii The Psychology of Religion A SHORT INTRODUCTION Kate M. Loewenthal PsyPrel.qxd 25/11/03 07:06 Page iv THE PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION: A SHORT INTRODUCTION Oneworld Publications 185 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 7AR England www.oneworld-publications.com © Kate M. Loewenthal 2000 Reprinted 2004, 2008 All rights reserved Copyright under Berne Convention A CIP record for this title is available from the British Library and the Library of Congress ISBN 978–1–85168–212–6 Cover design by Design Deluxe Typeset by Saxon Graphics, Derby, UK Printed and bound in Great Britain by Biddles Ltd NL08 PsyPrel.qxd 25/11/03 07:06 Page v CONTENTS Acknowledgements An Overview 1 PSYCHOLOGY AND RELIGION What is psychology? What is religion? A short history of the uneasy relationship between psychology and religion Spirituality and related issues Gender 2 RELIGION AND PSYCHOLOGY The influence of Western Christianity Religions and their accounts of behaviour, thoughts and feelings 3 RELIGIOUS BEHAVIOUR Prayer, definitions, effects and perceived effects Religious speech and language Social behaviour, groups and norms 4 RELIGIOUS THOUGHTS Religious belief Changes in religious belief over the life-span Religious faith and its development vii viii 1 1 2 6 11 12 14 14 16 27 27 38 44 58 58 63 66 PsyPrel.qxd 5 25/11/03 07:06 Page vi RELIGIOUS FEELINGS Early origins of religious feelings Positive feelings Negative feelings Religion and psychopathology 6 HOW RELIGION CAN AFFECT BEHAVIOUR, THOUGHT AND FEELING The moral control of behaviour Religion, stress and distress Religion and prejudice Relig