The Synthesis of Actualizing and Escaping the Self in Christian Identity and Conversion :: Essays Papers

The Synthesis of Actualizing and Escaping the Self in Christian Identity and noveltyEver since encountering Socrates simplistic still profound maxim, know thy egotism, I train taken intentional steps along the journey of my own self-discovery. However, the to a greater extent I attempt to analyze the complex integration of motives, thoughts, actions, unconscious memories, bestial experiences, emotional reactions, etc. that composes my self, the more I realize the infinite depths into which Socrates ostensibly uncomplicated saying has plunged me. Nevertheless, my curious mind, whether a curse or a gift, craves any tidbit of wisdom some nonpareil wishes to impart about how/where/with what room one can come to know thyself better. Perhaps its a result of growing up in a capitalistic, progressive, individualistic society, but my continual search proves I believe more knowledge ordain somehow lead to a fuller life. I want to improve, upgrade, supersize, maximizeAlong this journey, I have stumbled upon many recent psychologists who propose that to overhaul someone know the self more fully, the psychologist must provide categorical positive regard for the personhood of the other, that is, identify with the client without questioning the position from which she or he speaks (McAdams 440-1). Allowing clients to talk, these psychologists believe, provides them opportunity to access their own self-knowledge. They already possess the answers they study to improve their lives they simply need someone to affirm that truth so they can begin to believe it themselves. No outside authority needfully to tell them what theyre thinking or feeling, let alone what they ought to do to change themselves. Since I believe in and have experienced compressed positive regard as a catalyst to personal empowerment, I wanted to stand up and cheer, Yes with these professionals. But another professional caused me to reconsider. capital of Minnesota Vitz, a Christian psychologist , authors Psychology as Religion The Cult of Self-Worship, a response to the self-actualization and self-help movements popularized by these psychologists. He criticizes Rogers client-centered therapy as encouraging a narrowly-focused, self-involved lifestyle that excludes broader cultural and historical themes (Vitz 21). Selfism as he labels this movement, simply encourages mint to feed their own egos and ignore both the reality of their fallenness and the responsibility to have intercourse others. Not only that, but selfism defames God, for it places self at the center of ones focus, thus creating an idol To worship ones self (in self-realization) or to worship all humanity is, in Christian terms, simple idolatry operating from the usual motive of unconscious egotism(Vitz 93).