Overview

The Two Faces of Religion considers the entire spectrum of religious experience under the (twin) aspects of its opposite poles - the radiance of mature spirituality and the gloom of sick religiosity. Although Dr, Xavier necessarily contrasts the positive heights and the negative depths of mankind's spiritual experience, he equally emphasizes the vast grey areas of overlap. It is in these areas of overlap that Dr. Xavier's medical and psychiatric expertise accomplishes the most fruitful of outcomes - the recovery of troubled soul from the psycho/religious tensions and afflictions so common in today's turbulent and pressurized society. His exploration of the dynamic factors underlying the religious spectrum - love, courage, wisdom, hate, fear, egoism, identity, etc. - provides a wealth of information and insight to those who are seeking psychological and spiritual growth. Clinical, historic, and literary examples illustrating the operation of these dynamic factors make the book particularly interesting to professionals and lay people alike.

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9798385257140

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Reviews

""excellent book...(author's) cross-cultural experience brings an angle of vision to psychopathology of religion few other books do...case references are illuminating...patient and perceptive work."" Wayne Oates, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of Louisville' Senior Professor, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. ""...An interesting and well-written book with fascinating case histories, The Two Faces of Religion provides a great deal of information and insights on religion. The author's psychiatric point of view is never heavy-handed or deprecatory, always gentle and insightful."" John A. Sanford, Jungian Analyst and Episcopal Priest, Author of The Kingdom Within, Evil: The Shadow Side of Reality; etc. ""Particularly qualified to analyze the two faces of religion. N. S. Xavier has masterfully revealed its impact on the most intimate aspect of human lives. He shows many unique insights."" Jesse B. Milby, Ph. D., Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Alabama at Birmingham. ""The content of the book is excellent.... The structure and organization superb...."" Rev. Joseph S. Marino, STL, JLC, Member of Papal Diplomatic Corps, Author of Biblical Themes in Religious Education. ""I have read The Tow Faces of Religion with admiration and appreciation. The author wisely analyzes the two-edgedness of religion and aptly delineates mature spirituality. His reliance on a wide range of authors enriches the text immensely. His clinical experience lends still another valuable dimension."" Rabbi Samuel Egal Karff, D.H.L., V.P. of Central Conference of American Rabbis, Former Editor of Journal of Reform Judaism. ""The Two Faces of Religion is an excellent, illuminating and significant clinical analysis of the healthy and sick aspects of religion. The study is focused on the common issues of religion and psychiatry - love and hate, courage and wisdom, alienation and integration.... This timely book is sensitive, cross-cultural, and holistic in its approach; it deserves wide scholarly and public attention."" K. L. Seshagiri Rao, Professor of Religion, University of Virginia, Editor of World Faith's Insight, and Chief Editor, Encyclopedia of Hinduism.

Author Information

Dr. Xavier is a practicing psychiatrist with a broad intellectual grasp as well as a broad background of clinical and personal experience including close acquaintance with various religions. In consequence, he is particularly qualified to analyze and communicate their healthy and unhealthy aspects. Several significant traits of his - a deep and emphatic understanding of the complex issues of spirituality, a keen sense of humor, the pragmatism of a clinician, and the objectivity, knowledge and vision of a scholar - make for his refreshingly unique contribution to our understanding of the interrelated fields of psychiatry and religion, and the nature and scope of their interplay. He shows equal brilliance in analysis of sick religiosity and in the synthesis of healthy spirituality.

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