Preaching? Well, they are pretty good at it. Ritual? Fine in that department. But what about actually counseling people during times of great trouble? Have most priests and ministers and rabbis even studied psychology?
2007-01-14 21:03:20 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good answers so far. I'll leave it up a bit to see if I get any more answers. Thank you.
2007-01-15 02:20:17 · update #1
The effectivness of a couselor often depends on what type of council a person needs. If you are in leagal trouble, see a councelor like myself. If you are screwed in the head, see a shrink, etc.
Historically, clergymen were the educated elite ( other that the extemely wealthy of society) and their study and age ( by the time they got to be a preist) and expereince would imply a wisdom beyond the common. An hundered years ago, a cleagyman probably would have been a good choice for personal council.
Unfortuantly, these days a priests education is little more than average ( they haven't dropped, sepecialists have surpassed them), the life expereince is lacking, ( the exceptions here are protestant pastors ( in the us) who tend to have no formal educmacation ( other than some unacredited mill) and rabbis who tend to be highly educated).
Decide what kind of council you need and then decide if the person you seek if from is the right one to ask.
2007-01-14 21:22:43 · answer #1 · answered by Zarathustra 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most ministers in my faith take full courses in psychology, sociology, and many other courses pertaining to counseling. As men and women, all have sinned and therefore have some concept of what someone else is going through. No one is perfect. Some have abused drugs, alcohol, etc. I will say if a minister in my Church ever abused a child, he would not only be disbarred as a Pastor, but he would be in prison where he belongs. But overall, they are fully trained to counsel in most areas of social life.
2007-01-14 21:11:41 · answer #2 · answered by gone 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are no different than people who practice other vocations. We've all had experiences with good or bad auto mechanics or Home Depot contract installers and what not.
Personally, I had one desperate life shattering/altering experience in my life and called the rectory of a local church I never attended. I was new in town and did not know where to turn to or go. The pastor saw me immediately and was totally wonderful with his advice to me. I am not even a church goer but I am thankful I encountered the right man and the right time. I am forever grateful to that man for his good advice, support and understanding of my problem and for leading me on the right path. He was right on because as it turned out my situation was worse than even I could have imagined.
2007-01-15 06:56:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Problems of our days are really complicated that no learners and priests can claim to have all solutions.
Nowadays, besides priests, we have specialists, scholars, tutors, coaches, philosophers, social workers, and various powerful institutions to tackle our problems. Moreover, each individual can train his own skills to help himself and help the community.
It is no longer the time of elite priests; it is the time of mature individuals and institutions among the masses.
2007-01-14 21:21:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They do study some aspects of psychology but if they are not trained counsellors they can make a real hash of it. It's one thing to have knowledge but if you don't know how to apply it, it's not always helpful. Some clergy are great counsellors some are not.
2007-01-14 21:20:19 · answer #5 · answered by Cheryl S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So called priests and ministers Ive heard have done so. But why?
The bible is better at giving productive counsel than a psychiatrist. So much help from marriage, business practices, daily living, helping others, and etc.
2007-01-14 21:10:37 · answer #6 · answered by fire 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes most Catholic Priests do study psychology
God Bless You
2007-01-14 21:11:05 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most have not. Furthermore their education would probably incite them to encourage schizoid delusional tendencies wich can lead to catastrophic consequences.
2007-01-14 21:11:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think they think that the only psychology they need is the Bible, so usually I think they're not the best counselors.
2007-01-14 21:11:35 · answer #9 · answered by Annmaree 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There's no reason to think that they'd be any better than any random person.
2007-01-14 21:08:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋