Example for Class: Religious Discrimination

The Baltimore Sun reports on a Muslim whose application to be a foster parent was rejected, despite the fact that she was raised through the foster system. Read the details and share it with your students; this case seems very well-suited to generating class discussion. It is possible that there may be more to the story than is in the article, but as reported in the Sun it seems utterly amazing that such things would happen in 2010.

-- edited to add: A friend tells me that he saw another report that indicated the woman kept the dietary laws of Islam, but is not married to the man she is living with. If that is true, it takes the idea of "cafeteria religion" to a new level!

Shrink Rap Radio with Paul Moore

Shrink Rap Radio is one of the podcasts I listen to regularly. David Van Nuys interviews a variety of guests with interests in clinical and counseling issues. In fact, you can now obtain CE credits by listening to his show.

His most recent interview features Paul Moore, a psychoanalyst in Ireland, and touches on issues relevant to psychology of religion. You can listen to it online at that link, or through iTunes. Moore discusses, among other things, his perception of the problems that the Catholic Church is experiencing, and some ways that religion and psychotherapy are similar. For people experienced with these topics it will present nothing new, but if you have not read much on these themes it may be worth listening to.

The Lobotomist

If you are at all interested in the history of mental health, take a few minutes to visit The Lobotomist. The program from WGBH (Boston) tells the story of Walter Freeman, who saw the lobotomy as a means of curing a wide range of psychiatric disorders. It is a fascinating and chilling story of excess. The link does not address religion as much as it portrays an overenthusiastic, almost religious devotion to a surgical procedure. You can see useful historical perspectives on mental health, and view the program online. Well worth your time on a Friday afternoon.

Survey on Inter-Religious Households

A researcher is requesting help locating participants for a study on childhood in inter-religious households. It is very brief, and can be found at this link. Pass it along to others who might be interested!

Cambridge Visiting Professorship

There is a visiting professorship at Cambridge University that is suitable for psychologists or sociologists who study religion and other aspects of social life, and who have a sabbatical and can travel. Contact Nicholas Gibson for details.

Lectureship in Psych of Religion: Heythrop College

Heythrop College of the University of London is advertising for the position of Lecturer in the Psychology of Religion. The position (Reference: ACA18-PSYR) is a full-time, permanent lectureship, and carries a salary of £34,754 to £36,741. More information is available here, and at the Heythrop Vacancies site, where you may find application forms.

Change Lanes, But Not Routes, at Reformed Theological Seminary

Theologian Bruce Waltke discussed religion and science, creationism and evolution recently, in so many words saying that the religious should engage with the scientific, lest the world consider religious belief obsolete. (My paraphrase, of course. Read more here.) Waltke learned this week that his remarks about evolution offended his employer, Reformed Theological Seminary, which then asked for his resignation.

From Inside Higher Ed:
Michael Milton (President of Reformed Seminary), said that the seminary allows "views to vary" about creation, describing the faculty members there as having "an eight-lane highway" on which to explore various routes to understanding. Giving an example, he said that some faculty members believe that the Hebrew word yom (day) should be seen in Genesis as a literal 24-hour day. Others believe that yom may be providing "a framework" for some period of time longer than a day. Both of those views, and various others, are allowed, Milton said.

Sigh.