Cloning humans from the perspective of the christian churches

The announcement of the birth of Dolly the cloned sheep evoked widespread response from the Christian Churches. These responses are identified, organized thematically, and discussed critically. The churches have viewed reproductive human cloning either with unqualified opposition or with grave suspicion. Some statements have discussed animal cloning, generally granting limited approval, and nonreproductive human cloning, either in opposition or expressing an openness to entertain specific proposals as the technology develops. This paper is based on a presentation at the 164th Annual Meeting of The American Association for the Advancement of Science (1998), Philadelphia, in the session entitled The Rights and Wrongs of Cloning Humans, February 13, 1998.     

Clergy divorce and remarriage

The incidence of clergy divorce and remarriage requires a rethinking of the church's position when the divine intent for marriage is not fulfilled. A ministry to clergy couples and families marked by truth and grace can lead to a restoration of persons and an effecting of constructive ministries for clergy who have themselves been restored.Dr. Brown is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, CN 821, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. She is currently serving as the Chairperson of the Theological and Social Concerns Committee of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.     

The christian community of believers

Pastoral Psychology -     

Divorce Ambivalence and Reasons for Divorce in Iran

This study examined divorce attitudes and reasons for divorce in Iran, a nation experiencing a rapid increase in divorce. Using instruments translated into Farsi with a sample of 230 Iranian spouses filing for divorce, we found a preponderance of common relational reasons for divorce (such as growing apart and not getting enough attention), along with high rates of interpersonal violence reported by wives. Study participants showed considerable rates of divorce ambivalence, along with openness to reconciliation services. The findings were compared with similar studies of the United States spouses in the divorce process. Clinical implications include a careful approach to considering how discernment counseling might be adapted to the cultural situation of Iran, and particularly the special concerns of Iranian women.     

Humanistic psychotherapy assumptions and christian counseling

This article examines eight assertions about the nature of humanistic psychotherapy which may be congenial with certain broad assertions or emphases of the Christian tradition (and, thus, Christian counseling). The humanistic assertions are that the focus of psychotherapy should be on the client's immediate experiencing which provides trustworthy self-knowledge, that freedom is real, that the proper therapist role is that of facilitator, that new ways of client thinking and acting are to be encouraged, that the body must receive therapeutic attention, and that honest mutual communication is critical. Christian emphases for which these are relevant include Old and New Testament understandings of the inner experience of God, the ongoing creative activity of God, individual responsibility before God, the unity of the individual, and how healing takes place.Past President of the American Psychological Association's Division of Humanistic Psychology. Except for minor revisions, this article was originally presented at the International Congress on Christian Counseling in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1988. Appreciation for help in its preparation goes to G. Clarke Chapman, Quentin L. Hand, Richard Kahoe, Mary Jo Meadow, Edward P. Shafranske, Orlo Strunk, and Beverly J. Tisdale.     

Rational-emotive therapy and the christian client

In some cases a person's religious beliefs can cause or exaccerbate emotional problems. Sometimes religious concepts can be used to ameliorate a client's problems. In dealing with Christian clients, the RET therapist can utilize the teachings and actions of Jesus in leading a client to recognize irrational beliefs. This paper illustrates and discusses rational teachings and actions of Jesus as regards four basic irrational beliefs and eleven underlying irrational beliefs.Sandra D.M. Warnock, M.A., served as a missionary to Hawaii with the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and as Minister of Outreach at Vinton Baptist Church, Vinton, Virginia. She was Senior Staff Clinician at Hollins Communications Research Institute in Hollins College, Virginia and is currently an adjunct lecturer in Psychology at Southside Virginia Community College in Keysville, Virginia.     

Sustainable and responsible design from a christian worldview

Many aspects of design require engineers to make choices based on non-quantifiable personal perspectives. These decisions touch issues in aesthetics, ethics, social impact, and responsibility and sustainability. Part of Baylor University’s mission is to provide a learning community in which Christian life values and worldviews might be integrated into academic disciplines. In view of this institutional commitment, members of the Engineering faculty are investigating how Christian worldviews might interact with elements of engineering design in such a way as to produce uniquely Christian insights and inform the non-quantifiable aspects of the engineering process. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the “Ethics and Social Responsibility in Engineering and Technology” meeting, New Orleans, 2003.