Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., LMFT, M.Div. In a recent article, I read about a South Carolina school board that was considering banning a book taught in an AP Language course last February (The Daily Beast, “Ta-Nehisi Coats Crashes School Board…”). Apparently, Ta-Nehisi Coates book, Between the World and Me—an essay originally written for his son whoContinue reading ““We the People””
Author Archives: Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D.
Does Religion Bring Happiness?
By Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D. It takes moral courage to grieve; it takes religious courage to rejoice. Søren Kierkegaard, The Soul of Kierkegaard: Selections from His Journal Do we look happy to you? The other day I had a conversation with one of my Buddhist friends. During the conversation, he said something interesting. “If Moses,Continue reading “Does Religion Bring Happiness?”
Beliefs Have Consequences
by Harold W. Anderson, M.Div., Ph.D. Belief is powerful. It changes things and the more people believe it, the more things change. This, I suppose, is the lesson of systems. A singular belief can be something powerful for the person who holds it, but it may have little impact upon others. But a belief thatContinue reading “Beliefs Have Consequences”
What Happens When You Die?
By Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., LMFT, M.Div. I attended the funeral of a good friend recently. Her son and husband did the eulogy and did a very good job. However, following that, the minister started speaking. In his words, we received insight into what he thought happened after we die. Quoting from John 14, aContinue reading “What Happens When You Die?”
Faith…But Faith in What?
by Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., LMFT, M.Div. It is difficult to know what the word for faith in the New Testament means because all too often, the term is used without definition. One of the few biblical definitions is given in Hebrew 11:1, which states “Now faith is being sure of what we hope forContinue reading “Faith…But Faith in What?”
The Problem with Truth
by Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D. It is more important that a proposition be interesting than it be true. … But of course a true proposition is more apt to be interesting than a false one. Alfred North Whitehead, The Adventure of Ideas Truth is a problem. Throughout history, philosophers have quested for truth and politiciansContinue reading “The Problem with Truth”
Creating Healthy Couples & Families
In this essay, I discuss the importance of rules and boundaries for couples and families. Just as games need rules, so do families if they are to be happy and successful.
The Busy Brain
By Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D., LMFT When I was a practicing mental health professional, many of my clients would complain about anxiety. “I just can’t turn off my brain,” they would complain, “My busy brain keeps me awake, floods my waking moments with ominous possibilities and makes my everyday life so problematic it’s affecting myContinue reading “The Busy Brain”
Am I speaking your language?
By Harold W. Anderson, M.A., M.Div., Ph.D., LMFT As with every discipline, mental health and its related fields have developed its own vocabulary. Learning how to become a mental health professional includes learning how to be comfortable with and utilize this form of discourse. However, when one moves into the field and begins working withContinue reading “Am I speaking your language?”
Margins Beyond Individualism
By Harold W. Anderson, Ph.D. I recently posted a blog entitled “What does it mean to be a critical thinker?” One of my readers sent a response written from a Social Darwinism point of view. This is the response I wrote to his response. When completed, I thought my response was something I’d like toContinue reading “Margins Beyond Individualism”