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 but profound maxim, know thyself, I have taken intentional steps along the journey of my own self-discovery. However, the more I attempt to analyze the complex integration of motives, thoughts, actions, unconscious memories, sensual experiences, emotional reactions, etc. that composes my self, the more I realize the infinite depths into which Socrates seemingly simple motto has plunged me. Nevertheless, my curious mind, whether a curse or a gift, craves any tidbit of wisdom some one and only(a) wishes to impart about how/where/with what means one can germ to know thyself better. Perhaps its a result of growing up in a capitalistic, progressive, individualistic society, but my continual search proves I count more knowledge will somehow lead to a fuller life. I want to improve, upgrade, supersize, maximizeAlong this journey, I have stumbled upon many juve nile psychologists who propose that to help someone know the self more fully, the psychologist must provide unconditional positive regard for the personhood of the other, that is, identify with the client without questioning the bit 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 need to improve their lives they simply need someone to affirm that truth so they can begin to believe it themselves. No outside authority needs to tell them what theyre thinking or feeling, let alone what they ought to do to mixture themselves. Since I believe in and have experienced unconditional positive regard as a catalyst to personal empowerment, I wanted to set up up and cheer, Yes with these professionals. But another professional caused me to reconsider. Paul Vitz, a Christian psychologist, authors Psychology as Religion The Cult of Self-Wors hip, 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-centered lifestyle that excludes broader cultural and historical themes (Vitz 21). Selfism as he labels this movement, simply encourages people to feed their own egos and ignore some(prenominal) the reality of their fallenness and the responsibility to love 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 self-conceit(Vitz 93).