Psychology of Religion & Spirituality

08/16/2026

Divine Forgiveness
In Christianity, the faithful are commanded to forgive others. This site contains references to publications and measures integrating psychological and Christian perspectives on and

Forgiveness Forgiving others Forgiving oneself Divine forgiveness Reconciliation Psychology of Reconciliation Between individuals Between groups Restoration for those forgiven Forgiveness and reconciliation as pathways to

08/10/2026

Recovering from Spiritual Abuse

So many find comfort from their faith yet we often see horrific stories in the news. Following a series on spiritual abuse, I look at pathways to recovery.

Understanding the impact of spiritual abuse—and how survivors recover

08/09/2026

The Personhood of Human Eggs: A Shift in Perspective. This narrative explores the extension of Christian beliefs on the sanctity of human life, beyond protecting fertilized eggs, to the eggs themselves. Notably, IVF is supported by many conservative Christians.

(The Conversation) — In vitro fertilization has become a bigger part of reproductive rights debates as a once-fringe movement to recognize embryos as people grows louder.

08/05/2026

What will happen to the 10 Commandments in Texas?
Beliefs, Behavior, and Religion in this RNS story
by Ellie Ashby

AUSTIN, Texas (RNS) — The lawsuit is the latest challenge to Senate Bill 10 — this time under Texas law.

08/02/2026

What percentage of Americans believe in the existence and influence of the three persons in the Christian trinity?

The charts in the article indicate varied percentages and a low overall belief in this ancient doctrine.

A blog exploring the psychology of morality among people who identify as religious or spiritual.

08/01/2026

Adversity affects people not only psychologically, socially, and physically—but spiritually as well. During stressful times, many individuals face spiritual struggles. These struggles involve inner conflict about spiritual issues, tensions with others, and challenges in relating to God or a person's concept of the divine. And the struggles can be faith-destroying.

Spiritual struggles are common. A 2025 study cited by Pargament et al. (2025, May) indicated 62% of an American sample experienced a spiritual struggle in recent weeks.

More than 100 studies have found strong links between spiritual struggles and psychological difficulties. However, since most research has been cross-sectional, we do not know which cause-effect model best describes the relationship. Pargament and his colleagues considered three models.

A blog exploring the psychology of morality among people who identify as religious or spiritual.

07/27/2026

Bridging the Chasm: Christianity, Psychology, and LGBTQIA+ Inclusion confronts one of the most pressing and polarizing questions of our time: how can faith communities and psychological science engage one another honestly, critically, and compassionately when it comes to the dignity and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals?

For decades, many Christian traditions and the discipline of psychology have stood on opposite sides of a widening divide. Theologians and pastors have often appealed to Scripture and tradition to defend exclusionary practices, while psychologists have pointed to scientific evidence affirming LGBTQIA+ identities and relationships. The result has been a chasm—one that leaves countless individuals caught in the middle, struggling to reconcile their faith, their identity, and their mental health.

This book does not offer a simple bridge across that divide. Instead, it equips readers to map the terrain, understand the fault lines, and engage the conversation with intellectual humility and moral courage. Drawing on biblical studies, theology, and psychology, Bridging the Chasm provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary framework for students, clergy, clinicians, and lay readers who want to move beyond slogans and stereotypes toward deeper understanding.

Bridging the Chasm: Christianity, Psychology, and LGBTQIA+ Inclusion by GEOFFREY SUTTON

07/26/2026

Spiritual abuse is often described in terms of coercion, manipulation, or the misuse of religious authority, but its impact reaches far beyond these surface definitions. It is a form of harm that penetrates deeply into the structures of human functioning—how we think, feel, act, relate, and understand ourselves. Spiritual abuse distorts meaning, disrupts identity, and reshapes the internal frameworks through which people interpret their lives and their relationship to the sacred.



Read more at the linked article

To understand this complexity, we need a model that reflects the multidimensional nature of human functioning.

A SCOPES Based Analysis

07/24/2026

Complex Spiritual Abuse
Core Characteristics of Spiritual Abuse

Active infliction of spiritual harm

Misuse of religious power, authority, or doctrine

Intentional or reckless violation of spiritual wellbeing

Disruption of meaning, identity, and relationship with the divine

Unlike spiritual harassment — which produces irritation or annoyance — spiritual abuse results in spiritual struggle, identity disruption, and often loss of faith. Individuals may lose their spiritual home, experience relational ruptures, or suffer moral injury.
Read more in the post.

https://open.substack.com/pub/geoffreywsutton/p/when-faith-turns-harmful?r=2p17qh&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

07/07/2026

“The phenomenon of scapegoating has been a recurring theme throughout
human history. It involves the displacement of blame and aggression onto a particular individual or group, often those who are already marginalized and vulnerable. This act of scapegoating serves to maintain social cohesion and deflect attention from the systemic issues that contribute to conflict and injustice." (Gorka, 2025)

Scapegoating- As a Psychological Concept July 06, 2026 Get link Facebook X Pinterest Email Other Apps Scapegoating is best understood as a psychological mechanism for managing anxiety and aggression and a religious symbol for transferring guilt and restoring communal order. Both dimensions illuminat...