In Reply to: Re: Deadly Doctrine posted by Perry on May 13, 2005 at 00:07:28:
Hiyah, the research I was refering to is that which concerns the effect of religiousity on mental health, with just a little on physical health. It is not about the study of Christianity. It was this that challanged me, where in the first four paragraphs you quoted, I understood the author to say that Christianity per se is detrimental to mental [and physical health].
I have recently been going over a lot of the research which examines the effect of religion on mental health - and was surprised to have difficulty in finding any evidential work which demonstrates religiousity per se is bad for mental health. I obviously don't know all the literature, [it would take a great deal of time and more work is being done] but the papers I quoted all support the idea that intrinsic religiousity is beneficial to mental health.
Now this doesn't mean that I am supporting any particular 'religion' although most of the studies I have read refer to a western ethnocentric stance; thus probably Christian [but often they talk about praying for example without saying to which God].
I don't feel I am expert enough to differentiate between one religion and another - in fact I wouldn't want to. I try to respect each person's world view and do not impose my beliefs [or lack of them - what I believe or not is private]. For me being in a cult and having to thrust ones beliefs down anothers throat definately discouraged me from doing that or wanting to have it done to me, come to think of it!
What I mean when I said that I would like to understand his perspective wasn't that I wanted you to summarise; I'll read the book myself - if I can make time, it might be nice to delve a little into a different field.
Speaking of a different field; Watter's thesis?
Perry some very caring and sweet friends of mine are definately encouraging me to simplify - if I say a friend and I gave up counting when we got to 16 projects on the go at the moment, you'll see I have to acknowledge the need!