Transcultural psychiatry
September 1, 2010
Simon Dein
30 citations
The article explores links between Judeo-Christian religious experience and psychopathology, drawing on William James's Varieties of Religious Experience, particularly his concepts of self, agency, and the subliminal. It discusses contemporary research on Christian conversion, mysticism, and their connections to psychosis, mental health, and healing. The author proposes future research directions.
Transcultural psychiatry
October 1, 2016
Ayesha Ahmad, Simon Dein
2 citations
In multicultural societies like the United Kingdom, people hold diverse beliefs and norms, yet all must follow standard legal requirements. This paper examines how culture affects criminal responsibility, using a recent UK case where an individual committed a crime during alleged spirit possession. The authors suggest that a cultural defense can help contextualize such actions, improving understanding of the individual's relationship to society and aiding justice in a multicultural setting.
Religions
November 6, 2025
Simon Dein
1 citation
Postsecularism challenges the Weberian idea that modernity inevitably leads to the disenchantment and decline of magic. Magic persists in the West, but has been transformed through psychologization. The concept of participatory consciousness explains how everyday life blends secular, spiritual, and religious aspects. Drawing on ethnographic studies of Wiccan rituals, the paper shows that practitioners transition from an ordinary to a magical worldview through ritual performance. This involves analogical thinking, imagination, and affect, fostering a holistic, enchanted worldview with meaningful connections between people, events, and objects. Wiccans blend nature-oriented spirituality with modern technology and individualized paths.