Mental Health and Christian Belief

by Merle Hertzler

INTRODUCTION

You and I want to enjoy life. We want to have a healthy mind that is free of worry. What is the best way to reach that mental state? Many philosophers, religious leaders, and scientists have asked that question. In this series we will look at two contrasting viewpoints, traditional fundamentalist Christianity and secular humanism. What can they offer us?

Many of us have grown up in a Christian environment, and have been taught that it is the true way to real happiness. Many Christians are indeed happy, but many others are not. And I have met others who seem to have found happiness elsewhere. Have those that have chosen a different path in life missed out on the joy they could have as a Christian?

In this series, I will contend that happiness can be found outside of Christianity. But I will go further than that. I will argue that there are certain elements within the core of fundamentalist Christianity that hinder our psychological wholeness, and make it difficult to be happy. And I will argue that, in secular humanism, one can avoid the psychological pitfalls found in fundamentalism.

I realize, of course, that not everyone will fit into one of these two extremes. There are many shades of opinion between that of the strict fundamentalist and that of the secular humanist. I recently composed a simple test [1 ] showing the difference between the two views, and placed a preliminary version on the Christian Forums web site for public discussion[2]. A number of Christians took the test, and there was a broad range of reported scores, just as I had suspected. So I understand that there is a disparity of views within modern Christianity. Many do not cling to all of the dogmas of fundamentalism, especially as they relate to personal happiness. Many have found that fundamentalist views are bad for their mental well-being, so they have allowed their religion to morph. They still claim the Christian religion, but they have adopted psychological coping styles that are surprisingly close to humanism.

In this series, we will deal mainly with the historical, fundamentalist view and contrast it with humanism.

I come as a self-educated amateur in psychology. I have had an intense interest in these issues as I struggled over the conflicts between psychology and Christianity for years[3 ]. It is this conflict that led me to careful consideration of many of the claims made by Christians. As I found more and more Christians turning from the Bible to modern psychology, I was led into a deeper study of the Bible and of psychology. I have spent many hours studying psychological journals, and reading from many sources. The conflicting thoughts have often led to intense inner struggles. But the struggle has been good. For it has brought me to a point of new understanding. I write now to share my insights with you.

I now find that the principles of humanism are better than the teachings of fundamentalism at producing happiness, peace of mind, and good mental health. I hope that you find this an interesting study, and that it stimulates your thinking.

Click here to begin.

1. Hertzler, Merle, Are You a Humanist?

2. See Are You a Humanist or Fundamentalist? at the Christian Forums.

3. Hertzler, Merle, How Questioning Changed Me.

 Copyright Ó Merle Hertzler 2004. All rights reserved.