Judeo-Christian religious experience and psychopathology: the legacy of William James.
Transcultural psychiatry September 1, 2010 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1177/1363461510377568 via PubMed
Summary
The article explores how Judeo-Christian religious experiences relate to mental health and psychopathology, referencing William James's work on self and agency. It discusses contemporary findings on Christian conversion and mysticism in relation to psychosis and healing. The article also suggests future research directions in this area.
Abstract
This article examines the relationship between Judeo-Christian religious experience and psychopathology. It builds on William James's Varieties of Religious Experience and more specifically his discussions of self, agency and the subliminal. Contemporary research on Christian conversion, mysticism, and its relationship to psychosis and mental health and healing are discussed. Future themes for research are proposed.