At a time when religious fundamentalism is having a huge impact upon the world, this book helps us to understand how people acquire, conceptualise and practise religion at both personal and social levels. At a time when religious fundamentalism is having a huge impact upon the world, this book helps us to understand how people acquire, conceptualise and practise religion at both personal and social levels.
Explores religion both as a social phenomenon and as a form of inner experience.
Explains why people believe what they do.
Looks at the effects of religious and spiritual belief upon behaviour, and upon physical and psychological health.
Outlines the various approaches to religious and spiritual experience.
Surveys all relevant research.
Introduction vi
1. Why the Psychology of Religion? 1
2. Definitions and Meanings 6
3. Introspection and Inner Experience 23
4. Approaches to the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality 32
5. Religious Beliefs and Practices 44
6. Approaches to Spiritual Development 62
7. Spirituality and the Brain 80
8. The Origins of Religious Belief 85
9. Religious Expression in Myth and the Creative Arts 104
10. Varieties of Religious and Spiritual Experience 108
11. Concepts of Self, Soul, and Brain 159
12. Religion, Health, and Well-being 205
Conclusion 228
References 230
Index 251
