Psychology of Conversion of Youth & Call to Religious Life

I made a presentation at the 4th Theological Symposium held at Don Bosco Utume on 30th March 2015.  The two-day symposium has as its theme: Consecrated Life and the Life of Youth.  The annual symposium this year commemorates the Bicentenary of the Birth of Don Bosco – the Founder of the Salesians of Don Bosco, hence the focus on youth.  It is also a contribution to the Year of Consecrated (Religious) Life.
My presentation brought together three elements: youth, conversion, and religious life.
Using emerging data from psychology of religious conversion of youth, the first part of the paper states some underlying patterns in conversion. The second part applies those patterns in understanding the dynamics of spirituality youth who join religious life.  Attachment Theory is much used in the analysis.  Implication of secure attachment and avoidant attachment on gradual and sudden conversion, and their possible impact on religious life is discussed.
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Towards Religious-Spirituality: A Multidimensional Matrix of Religion and Spirituality

Selvam, S.G. (2013). Towards religious spirituality: A multidimensional matrix of religion and spirituality. Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies, 12(36), 129-152.
Abstract
In the contemporary study of religion there seems to be an exaggeration of the distinction between religion and spirituality, not only to the point of separation, but worse still, in terms of a superiority-inferiority hierarchy that gives rise to a value judgement between spirituality and religion. Could this be a sign of the persisting Western hegemony in the study of religion?  This article suggests that the consideration of religion and spirituality as disparate entities may be necessary in some societies but not sufficient for a global perspective. Could there be an integrative model that would lend itself for an inclusive exchange in the study of religion […]

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Now and Hereafter: The Psychology of Hope from the Perspective of Religion

Selvam, S.G. & Poulsom, M. (2012), Now and hereafter: The psychology of Hope from the perspective of Religion. Journal of Dharma 37(4), 393-410.
Faced with the harsh reality of death, human beings have often drawn a sense of hope from a belief in life after death. Religions have earnestly supported this faith and hope. As Paul Tillich put it, “Without hope, the tension of our life toward the future would vanish, and with it, life itself.” In recent times, hope has also become a subject matter for psychology. Does psychology risk separating hope from religion, focussing too narrowly on the immediate future? Or could the treatment of hope offered by psychology give a sense of meaning to life similar to that provided by religion? This article examines recent developments in the psychology of hope from the perspective of religion.
DOWNLOAD OUR ARTICLE published in the  Journal of Dharma (December 2012).

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The Ubiquity of the Character Strengths in African Traditional Religion: A Thematic Analysis

Selvam, S.G. & Collicutt, J. (2013), The ubiquity of the character strengths in African Traditional Religion: A thematic analysis. In Knoop, H.H. & Delle Fave, A. (Eds.), Well-Being and Cultures: A Positive Psychology Perspective (pp 83-102). Heidelberg: Springer.
Abstract

Positive psychology has relied on world philosophical and religious traditions for its understanding and classification of core virtues and character strengths and in demonstrating their ubiquity across cultures. However, in this endeavour, reference to African traditional religion (ATR) is minimal. The aim of the present qualitative study was to discern if the ubiquity of character strengths extends to ATR. The catalogue of Values in Action (VIA) was chosen as the coding template; some anthropological textual data on the life cycle of the individual, collected in Nairobi, Kenya, were used as the data set. Using a hybrid approach of deductive data analysis and inductive theme development, thematic equivalents were identified, and further validated with […]

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Psychology of Religion: Insights for Education in India


 Selvam, S.G. (2011). “Psychology of Religion: Insights for education in India”. In Pudumai et al (eds.) Education of the Young in Today’s India (pp.139-165). Chennai:  Don Bosco Publications.
Click Link to Download article in Pdf : ” Sel PsychRel Education in India“
Abstract
Psychology of Religion is a well acknowledged branch of psychology that employs the theoretical framework and methodology of general psychology to examine the influence of religious phenomena on human mind and behaviour.  Generally, cognitive psychology and developmental psychology have played an important role in shaping educational policy and practice.  In this chapter, the author argues that psychology of religion also can contribute a great deal to educational practice. If education is understood, particularly in the Indian tradition, as not merely acquiring knowledge but as shaping of the individual, then the role […]

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