The Psychology of Religion: An Empirical Approach

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Every academic, community, and freethought library needs one good text on the psychology of religion. The collaborative efforst of Hood, Spilka, Hunsberger, and Gorsuch have resulted in just such a comprehensive volume. The Psychology Of Religion covers the psychological nature and funcitions of religion, religion in childhood, religious socialization and thought in adolescence and young adulthood, religion in adult life, religion and death, religious experience, mysticism, conversion, the social psychology of religious organizations, religion and morality, the role of religion in coping and adjustment, religion and mental disorder, and conculudes with an epilogue on research in the psychology of religion and the need for theory in the psychology of religion. Also included are a lengthy section on references and a very useful index. The Psychology Of Religion is an invaluable reference resource for anyone seeking to understand the nature and causation of religious experiences, both laudable and detramental. Each of the chapter sections is completely accessible for the non-specialist general reader, and of great service to social workers, counselors, clerics, students of religion, and anyone with an interest in the human experience as affected by the spectrum of religious teachings and beliefs. Highly recommended.