Last week, I was immersed in two books by Dr. Miriam Grossman. A section in her book Unprotected revealed a new word to me: theophobia. Theophobia, as she describes it, “is a name for the irrational antagonism that psychology has for religion.”
This is important, especially for those of us who have children who have, or may someday, be helped by a psychologist, as well as for those of us adults who have, or will. It’s important that we’re aware that a pervasively negative view toward religion exists in this field, and that discretion should be used in the search for a good psychologist, whose guidance could make all the difference in your or your child’s emotional and spiritual health.
Dr. Grossman knows it all too well. She’s lived and breathed theophobia through her job as a psychiatrist, primarily on the college campus of one of America’s most prestigious universities, where she’s worked most of her profession. Yes, she is helping shape the newest crop of young adults in our society, and so are her many colleagues who fall into the category of being “theophobic.”
Don’t believe her? Consider this: (p.44) “A search in the indexes of several recently published, authoritative psychology and psychiatry textbooks…reveal no entries for church, religion, prayer or God.” When such textbooks do discuss religion, Grossman points out, it is often with a focus on religious pathology.
“A past president of the American Psychological Association called on psychologists to help get rid of organized religion,” she wrote, quoting the article, ‘It doesn’t matter which religion, they are all patriarchal. And that is one of the major sources of social injustice in our society and in our world.'”
That’s just part of the evidence to back her claim. But I don’t want to take too much more of your time today, so let’s assume she’s right here (and I believe she is). Skip ahead to p. 48, where Grossman shares this:
“As much as mental health professionals and organizations may shun issues of faith due to theophobia, 75 percent of college students are on a spiritual search and seek answers to existential questions. Sounds like a large population but it shouldn’t come as a surprise; it’s consistent with research indicating that neurologically, we may be designed to search for meaning.
“You probably haven’t heard about it. Two neuroscientists at the University of Pennsylvania used radioactive imaging to study the brain’s capacity for spiritual experience. They scanned the heads of skilled Tibetan meditators and Franciscan nuns following a period of intense religious contemplation, and discovered an unusual pattern of brain activity. As peak moments approached, the circuits responsible for orientation in time and space fell quiet. The area of the brain that informs us where we end, and the rest of the world starts, was turned off. These moments, according to the subjects, were accompanied by a rush of positive emotion. They were moments of ‘being connected to all of creation,’ of ‘a sense of timelessness and infinity’ and ‘a tangible sense of the closeness of God and a mingling with Him.’ The researchers suggest that the brain is equipped from birth with a capacity – even an urge –for religious experience, and they call the study of this capacity ‘neurotheology.’
“They even admit:
Our research has left us no choice but to conclude that mystics may be on to something, that the mind’s machinery of transcendence may in fact be a window through which we can glimpse the ultimate realness of something that is truly divine. This conclusion is based on deductive reason, not on religious faith – it is a terrifically unscientific idea that is ironically consistent with careful, conventional science.
At this point, Grossman argues that “psychology had better get its act together.”
“The irrational avoidance of religion in therapeutic work is not only unethical, it’s old. It has no place in this century, where single-photon emission computed tomography identifies ‘neuronal spirituality circuits’ and produces color photos of a brain connecting with God.
This was absolutely fascinating to me, not because it was surprising, but because this is evidence, scientific evidence, to back up what I have believed – or known, rather – most of my life.
God is not a figment of our imaginations. Prayer is not futile. The Holy Spirit is not make-believe. Jesus isn’t a farce.
There’s an order to this world, and those of us who “have seen and believed” have, on average, happier, more satisfying lives.
It’s not fair, to anyone really, that we so easily discount the presence of God in this world, not to mention the next. I know I’m likely preaching to the choir here, since my readers are largely Christian, or at least God-believing. But are we aware of how our faith is being compromised in the field of medicine, especially psychiatry and psychology?
More and more, science is proving what so many seek to disprove: that God exists. Acknowledging God as our loving, omnipotent creator improves our lives exponentially.
Have you ever experienced the reality of theophobia? In what context?
Of course, it won’t work to say there is no God and be a healer of mental illness. Because so many people struggle with God questions. They need to address all of the areas that make us who we are. However, I’m not completely shocked that they discount organized religion. Those who organize religion have used it to be judgemental and controlling. Many people have sufferend spiritual abuse. Perhaps some psychologists are needing to help people feel safe from that trauma.
Hey Mary! Appreciate that you took time to read this one. I do have to take issue with your statement, “Those who organize religion…” Yes, some have used it to a negative end. Not all by any means. It also is true that many may have suffered spiritual abuse. But many have been helped by having a community in which they can praise and worship God together. I have been blessed many times over by my church community. But my church isn’t just what I do on Sundays. It also envelopes my faith-sharing group, my Catholic writers’ email list, and all of my faith sisters (and brothers in some cases), Catholic and Protestant, who give me life and bring me closer to God every single day. To discount religion because it has hurt some is throwing out the baby with the bath water. If someone has been hurt by it, then by all means, the medical community has an obligation to help them through that. But in case when that is not the issue (and this is the key), and God is not allowed into the discussion, wholeness cannot happen. I think you and I know where the other one is coming from on this and you know I respect your thoughts. I just want to make sure my point is clear on discounting the healing God, and in many cases the community He has gathered together, can and does bring. I guess this side discussion makes me appreciate how wide my faith community is. Maybe that’s the key to spiritual health — seeing it all as one big world of fellow faith-seekers. At any rate, her evidence for how far off this profession has gotten as a whole is compelling, and something to consider as we and our loved ones seek healing.
Wow. This is a fascinating post, Roxane. I read through it twice, actually. I’ve never heard of theophobia. My favorite lines of your post were: “God is not a figment of our imaginations. Prayer is not futile. The Holy Spirit is not make-believe. Jesus isn’t a farce.” I love it when I read scientific-type articles that support Christianity.
Great, great post! 🙂
Shannon, I’m so glad you found this as fascinating as I did. I, too, like this kind of information that melds body and soul in a compelling way. And I’m not surprised it intrigued you. Writers are thinkers. Yes, even those of us who write for children (perhaps especially those who do). We are on an incredible journey, absorbing new facts daily, working our way back to our Creator. The lines you choose as your favorite were my words and they came from deep within. I am rather weary of hearing the opposite message from our culture, and I am feeling the need to rise up and say, “Hey, you cannot hijack my faith. This is not incidental. This is imperative! And time is of the essence. We do not get forever here. Life is short and we only have so much time to realize who is truly in charge…and how much we are loved.” I can understand very well Dr. Grossman’s passion. Having had the chance to sit next to her and hear her that same night give a presentation, I remain blown away, and will be sharing more soon. There’s more where this came from.
It’s so great to hear from you, Shannon. I hope the transition is going well. I’m excited for you!