A personal sojourn to spiritualize community psychology

Journal/Book: J Community Psychol. 2000; 28: 605 Third Ave, New York, NY 10158-0012, USA. John Wiley & Sons Inc. 221-236.

Abstract: From a personal perspective on the tensions experienced in my career as a community psychologist, I advocate spiritualizing community psychology. I draw heavily from my teaching and research of the history of the discipline, as well as from teaching introductory psychology to Native students. Using the critical concept of scientism to examine the historical dialectic between objectivity and subjectivity, I show how a quasi-religion of psychology has Prevailed, while excluding soul, spirit, and spirituality. Radical developments in Christianity (i.e., liberation theology, the historical Jesus scholarship, and feminist theology further challenge community psychologists seeking rapprochement with religion and spirituality. I conclude by discussing the implications of a conversion to spirituality for community psychology.

Note: Article Walsh-Bowers R, Wilfrid Laurier Univ, Dept Psychol, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, CANADA

Keyword(s): RELIGION; SCIENCE

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