Synopsis "Altering the Altar: Myth, Religion & Psychology"
This book primarily deals with three themes: the phenomenon of myth in the holy scriptures, celibacy and Catholic priesthood and the use of psychology in Catholic religious formation. All the themes are reflecting Catholic Christian doctrines. The book also contains few reflections on religion.The first part of the book, which narrates the phenomenon of myth in the New Testament, was written when I was fascinated by philosophy, theology, religion, and mysticism. I strongly believe today that religious language is mythical, religious practices are culture-specific and claiming this unique cultural concepts and interpretations as universal truth - which actually leads to fanaticism.The second part of the book talks about priestly celibacy in the Catholic Church. My interest in this topic started during my postgraduate studies in the Philippines, at De La Salle University, Manila, where I was introduced to Rev. Ed Kelly, an Irish Catholic Missionary Priest, married to a Filipina and settled in Manila. This connection made me to explore deep into the concept of canonical mandatory celibacy for Catholic priesthood. Also, I did a research in the unexplored area of married priests in the Philippines.Psychological screening in selection, renewal programs on adult development and midlife transition issues, lessons on the broader understanding of celibate love, friendship and living, the inclusion of psychology and psychotherapy in ongoing formation are gaining popularity. These scientific psychotherapeutic interventions are intended to help the candidates to discover their enslaving reactive behaviour patterns, which in turn would help them in responding to the demands of authentic religious life, Christian and human living. Mainly, the process of making the unconscious into conscious is often focused in order to attain freedom from the binding factors to attain psychospiritual integration.Besides these three major themes namely, the struggles of Bultmann's demythologization of New Testament, the mystified celibacy in Catholic priesthood and, how psychology could be utilized in a healthy way in the Catholic religious communities, the book also has few reflections on various topics related to religion and Christian living with a critical outlook.
