The sacred and child development Introduction In various belief systems, concepts of shame and the sacred are at the centre of religious experiences and related to ethics. The sacred is defined by the existence of incorporeal, supernatural forces that are assumed by religions. These forces can be personal or impersonal, such as deities, spirits or […]
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Sin and guilt – psychological effects on children Introduction It is essential to talk about the psychological impact of religious upbringing on children. Religion has an effect on individual ethical values and even on the legal system in some societies to the point of deriving jurisprudence directly from religious norms. Terms: sin, guilt and atonement
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An addendum about the current public shaming situation I recently received the following enquiry from a freelance journalist: “… Dear Dr Stemper, I am working on a book about shame and its role in today’s society. The basis for this is a detailed article of mine that was published last year… The last part of
Faith under the magnifying glass: religion as a cause of childhood trauma Introduction The relationship between religion, childhood trauma, fear and faith is very complex. Religion was originally intended to calm the fear of the unknowable and uncontrollable. This fear is one of the most primal and powerful human emotions. Fear of the unknown is
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