Unbelievable? 24 Jul 2010 - Psychology of religion

Is belief in the supernatural inherent from birth?  Is Christianity a psychological crutch or a path to emotional wholeness? Is God belief simply a result of evolution?  Would it make belief untrue if it were?

These and other questions are discussed by atheist psychological therapist Martyn Frame and Christian tutor of psychology of religion Revd Dr Joanna Collicut McGrath.

Martyn believes that religious belief can be given a psychological evolutionary explanation that precludes need for belief in God.  Joanna argues that such theories are sketchy at best and that humanity's religious longings can't be rationalised so easily.

For Joanna Collicut McGrath see http://www.heythrop.ac.uk/about-us/college-staff/academic-staff/dr-joanna-collicutt.html

"The Dawkins Delusion" co-authored with her husband Alister Mcgrath can be found on Amazon here 

Martyn Frame's profile page at the Premier Community http://premiercommunity.ning.com/profile/MartynFrame?xg_source=activity

For more Christian/non Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast at http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 24 Apr 2010 - "Grill a Christian" show - four atheists challenge David Robertson with their objections to faith

Unbelievable? 19 Dec 2009 - What does Science Tell us about God?" - Atheist scientist Lewis Wolpert debates believing scientist Russell Cowburn

Join the discussion at the Unbelievable? group of the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable