Humanistic Psychology of Religion: Allport Chapter 6

Focus on Gordon Allport's "The Individual and His Religion" (1950).
Introduction to humanistic psychology of religion and phenomenological psychology.
Chapter Six: "The Nature of Faith" covers rich psychological insights into belief and faith.

Raw Credulity
- Initial stage of belief, especially in children, characterized by a strong reliance on sensory evidence and what they hear.
- Beliefs stem mostly from verbal realism; words perceived as equivalent to facts.
- This stage can persist in adulthood, especially in those with arrested development.
Doubt
- Disruption of credulity due to skepticism and doubts that arise.
- Essential for maturity in belief – without facing doubts, one cannot achieve independent conviction.
Mature Belief
- Evolves through the interplay of doubts and affirmations, integrating with personal values.
- "Pari passu": Important beliefs develop alongside values and sentiments, leading to fulfillment of life’s purpose.
- Beliefs can vary in strength (weak, moderate, strong) but can still mobilize significant energy for the individual.

Belief: Connotes assurance and is based on evidence (e.g., mathematical certainty).
Faith: Carries emotional weight and warmth, typically associated with hope rather than tangible outcomes.
Faith suggests a stronger commitment even in the absence of evidence, thereby making it psychologically more complex.

Mature religious sentiment is viewed as an interest system integrating life’s experiences into a coherent whole:
1. Comprehensiveness: Aims to unify diverse experiences.
2. Integral Nature: Provides purpose and direction in life.
3. Heuristic Quality: Encourages loyalty for the pursuit of truth and goodness.

Allport discusses the significance of intention:
- Introduces Franz Brentano and the concept of act psychology, focusing on intentions behind actions rather than merely behavior.
- Critique of behaviorism for its neglect of intention and motivation in understanding behavior and psychology.
- Importance of recognizing the complexity of intentions in decision-making and actions.

Intention as a driving force that shapes actions and behavior:
- Actions should be understood contextually—analyzing motivation rather than just observable behaviors.
- Diagnosing actions requires assessment of the intention behind them (e.g., theft motivated by need).

Allport elaborates on four grades of intention:
1. Actual Intention: Clearly defined and actively pursued.
2. Virtual Intention: Exists from previous commitments, influencing actions silently.
3. Habitual Intention: Formerly held intentions that have not been acted upon.
4. Interpretative Intention: Assumed intentions that may not have been formally recognized but imply a moral stance.

Teleology involves goals that guide action, distinguishing between causes and the aspirational pull towards future goals.
Encourages introspection on how one’s potential self influences current behavior and decisions.

Different types of prayer serve various intentions, with mature prayer seeking unity with a greater whole.
Ritual and community foster belonging and serve as a means to express shared beliefs and dogmas.

Trust vs. distrust characterizes the validation of faith:
- Faith is rooted in comfort with uncertainty and openness to experience rather than seeking empirical control.
- The interplay between logic and intuition shapes one’s trust in faith and religious belief.

Allport concludes with the notion that the quest for faith is deeply personal and varies greatly among individuals.
Recognition of the complexity of faith and the multitude of influences shaping an individual's religious sentiment.
The ultimate aim is for individuals to find their place in the cosmos, integrating their beliefs with transcendent purpose, enriching their existence.