Religion is perhaps one of the most controversial subjects that can be discussed in our societies. The belief in a cord that is dictated by a doctrine may not sell out equivocally among different people. The matter even becomes deeper and more complex with the introduction of technology, media, academia, and the postmodern times we are living. Guidance and counseling professionals often integrate religious guidelines with their regular therapy sessions to create a solid recovery foundation for their clients. However, the idea of religion is often disregarded by many people. The belief in a higher power and a doctrine that is mainly based on faith faces a lot of rejection and criticism from many.
Postmodern thinkers may not be the most religious people. This is because they have grown and lived in an age where religion does not seem to take a great toll on the everyday events. One thing that postmodern thinkers use to disregard religion, and especially Christianity, is the timing of the events that define the religion. The timing here refers to the time when most of the events that define the religion happened. Christianity, for instance, has two major times; the Old Testament (B.C.) and the time of Christ. This was 1000’s of years ago, and no one from these times is alive today. Therefore, telling a postmodern thinker to believe in values and virtues that were laid by people he or she does not know and that they occurred 1000’s of years ago may be difficult (Lama, 2011).
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The other reason that a postmodern thinker may have trouble incorporating religion into their beliefs is the dominance and prevalence of science and academia in the modern world. Science teaches evolution, mutation, the DNA, The Big Bang Theory, and other phenomena that are attributed to our existence. Academia does not regard religion or the general existence of a higher power. Growing in such a world makes the imposition of religion on some individuals almost impossible (Tan, 2011). The rampant immorality, crime, suffering, climate change, and civil wars that have painted our planet have also triggered postmodern thinkers to question the reality of a Supreme Being and Religion as a whole.
Academia is mostly based on logic, tangible evidence of phenomena, provable facts, and experimentation. Christianity, on the other hand, is usually based on faith and belief. Someone hooked on academia can never understand the significance of the existence of Christianity or religion. The media is built on the element of selling stories. Media often launches attacks and criticism on Christianity and the clergy in particular; to question morality and lifestyle. Once a high Christian member sways off the ways outlined by Christianity; the media is usually on the forefront to question and make a story of every occurrence. Through this, the media finds itself on the antagonistic side of Christianity on most occasions (Tan, 2011).
Counseling and psychotherapy elementarily involve change, recovery, improvement, or being a ‘better version of ourselves.’ It can also be viewed as growth. The effectiveness of change or growth is usually ensured when it is done in a ‘wholesome package.’ This means that if one is a recovering drug addict, for instance, the best way to recover is to incorporate both the actual recovery from drug addiction alongside adopting a religious perspective of life. The same applies to other conditions like depression (Lama, 2011). The importance of including religion is that it offers a clear direction on living a better life. The principles that religion is based on direct individuals into a lifestyle that ensures sanity, proper morality, and great virtues. Hope, faith, love, health, and other definitive elements of a good lifestyle are cultivated and natured in religion. Therefore, integration of religion in counseling and psychotherapy sessions is core to ensuring their effectiveness.
Free mindedness is a desirable quality of life today. The ability to think logically and make the right choice alone is something that everyone should be encouraged to practice. This does not, however, outlook the importance of occasionally refereeing to religious stipulations. Religion was formed and nurtured on love, kindness, and other fruits of the Holy Spirit. Christianity in particular outlines the Ten Commandments that cannot mislead anyone in any instance or situation. Religion is, therefore, important and its role in imposing change, recovery, and improvement should not be downplayed. Professionals in the fields of Counseling and psychotherapy should be highly encouraged to recommend and incorporate religion into their sessions.
References
Lama, D. (2011). Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World. NY, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt publishers.
Tan, S. (2011). Counseling and Psychotherapy : A Christian Perspective. CA, Baker Academic publishers.
