SESSION 2

Perspectives on Healthy Religion


New Testament scholar Marcus Borg describes in the teachings of Jesus a shift in religious consciousness away from self-protective and self-absorbed obsession with ritual purity toward selfless compassion for others.  Psychologist Carl Rogers defines acceptance, genuineness, and empathy as characteristics of persons who want to help others bloom and flourish.  Fowler, Kegan, and Kohlberg suggest that human development involves a process of opening oneself to wider and wider circles of the world.   Howard Clinebell identifies 12 tests for the healthfulness or harmfulness of religion.  What do these voices share in common?  Are there any significant differences among them?  Do they help or hinder your own quest for the clue to healthy religion?

Post your comments for discussion to "II. Perspectives on Healthy Religion" in the Discussion Board.

From Purity to Compassion: A prescription for Religious Healing

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