Psychology as Religion: The Cult of Self-worship


In trying to obtain a feeling of self-esteem, the only successful way is to do good to others or accomplish something. However, the downside is people begin to pursue happiness as a far greater goal than the goal of obtaining personal holiness. Not only is selfism a self-defeating goal for the Christian, Vitz goes on to make the case that it is also simply bad science and a warped philosophy. He exposes flaws in each step of the process, from stating the problem, forming and testing the hypothesis, to testing the conclusion.

Psychology as Religion the Cult of Self-Worship

He also identifies several philosophical contradictions and in some cases, actual misrepresentations. The spread of this bad science and faulty philosophy is believed by the author to have contributed to the destruction of families. Recovery group therapy strokes the patient with self-pity thereby convincing the clients are victims.

Values clarification has become the model taught in schools and begins with the assumption that man is naturally good. Since the developers of values clarification reject moral teachings, Vitz claims that if responsible adults, i. However, this philosophy is bankrupt because kids will assume the values of irresponsible sources in lieu of responsible ones.

This combined with the aforementioned teachings has produced a society of victims where everyone is pointing to blame someone else for their misfortunes.

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Vitz takes three chapters to present a Christian analysis and criticism of humanistic self-theories. He gives the credit to our educational system for the transformation of our society into a culture of pure selfism. Vitz argues his Christian critique within a historical framework and the impact it has had on the evolution of our society. Unfortunately he gives scant attention to biblical references for his position, but does show how the selfism heresy affects teachings on depression , idolatry, and suffering.

He closes his work with the observation, "never have so many people been so self-conscious, so aware of the self as something to be expressed Vitz is professor emeritus of psychology at New York University. The Psychology of Atheism.

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Then again, Vitz didn't write his book for that purpose. A New Christian Future? Jan 03, Eric rated it liked it Recommends it for: Deborah Sheplawy rated it it was amazing Dec 26, Unfortunately he gives scant attention to biblical references for his position, but does show how the selfism heresy affects teachings on depression , idolatry, and suffering. The author traces self-worship and its preaching to the masses through psychology and self-help books over the past century or so, focusing heavily on Jung, Fromm, Rogers, and Maslow. Prayer and Hope - Where do they fit into your life?

Virtually rewritten, this second edition of the original text takes into account much of what The Cult of Self-Worship. A trenchant analysis of modern psychology -- an enterprise that Paul Vitz maintains has become a religion, a secular cult of self, now part of the problem of modern life rather than part of its resolution. Virtually rewritten, this second edition of the original text takes into account much of what has happened in the field of psychology during the past seventeen years.

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Two completely new chapters are also included -- one on education and "values clarification" and the other on New Age religion. Rollo May and Existential Philosophy.

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Psychology for a Consumer Society. Selfism and Christianity Historical Antecedents. Selfism as Bad Science. Psychiatry Biology and Experimental Psychology. From a Philosophical Point of View. The Grounds of Worship. What One Needs to Know. Helmut - - Zygon 33 1: Attachment, Evolution and the Psychology of Religion: A Response on Lee Kirkpatrick.

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Psychology as Religion delivers a trenchant analysis of modern psychology - an enterprise that author Paul C. Vitz maintains has become a religion, a secular. Psychology as Religion: The Cult of Self-worship (Aslan Paperbacks) [Paul C. Vitz] on bahana-line.com *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.

Fraser Watts - - Archive for the Psychology of Religion 28 1: Domenic Marbaniang - manuscript. Religion in Psychodynamic Perspective: The Contributions of Paul W. Pruyser - - Oxford University Press.

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