1. A Debate: Believing in God is Psychologically Healthy Daniel, Annie, Chase, and John. AKA Group 5

2. The “Not” Perspective “Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.”-Thomas Paine -Sometimes one can be led toward negative tendencies. DDenying oneself of healthy pursuits such as finding love, starting a career, etc.  One may come to bias, or favoring certain people based on their beliefs, and whether or not they coincide with one’s own.

3. Still “Not”… Looking back through history… -Crusades -Inquisitions -Native American culture destruction Not exactly the coolest events! What this means is…

4. Assumption? When people think they know what God is saying, and that everyone else is wrong…bad things happen. i.e. previous page. People believe so strongly in something that they condemn, torture, and kill other people, sometimes in mass quantities.

5. Mixed Messages As an example, Christianity: God is described as being wrathful and punishing, an angry being. God is described as being a kind, loving, and benevolent being. Are you confused? Some people tend to get that way.

6. Fear: A Powerful Tool? Belief in a wrathful God can lead an individual to unhealthy levels of fear. To do what God wants, people have to deny themselves, and they feel guilty if they are unable to do so. Corrupt people can use God as a means of personal gain and power at the expense of others.

7. Intermission/Idyllic Phase…

8. Ok, now for “Is Perspective” One who believes in God is aware of the depth in life and has a passion for living. Individuals not believing in God tend to have a “hunger” or hole in their lives.

9. Healing Belief in God tends to work when nothing else is going right. Provides comfort. “Everything’s gonna be ok.” Therapeutic.

10. Freud Father of psychoanalysis, believed religion to be fully psychological, a neurosis we create for ourselves because we cannot cope without.

11. Carl Jung-famous psychologist Believed that a “religious perspective” was so vital in his patients that he could not treat them without. WOW.

12. If God is merciful… People are taught to mimic the goodness of God, to be compassionate, merciful, and forgiving. And this is healthy.

13. Believing In God Via Spirituality Spiritual people tend to be less stressed, have better health, and live longer lives as a result.

14. Meaning Believing in God and what he stands for provides a meaning for living, and gives direction for an individual’s life to take. Her life has meaning!

15. Works Cited Elkins, David. Spirituality. 1999. Psychology Today. 18 Oct. 2004 <http://cms.psychologytoday.com/articles Schaffer, Art. Six Avoidance of Negatives. 1987-2004. Eclectic Church. 18 Oct. 2004 http://eclecticchurch.org/http://eclecticchurch.org/