“Towards cultural psychology of religion: principles, approaches, and applications”: an appreciative response to Belzen's invitation

Abstract

Jacob Belzen's call for a cultural psychology of religion is much appreciated and this comment expresses considerable sympathy for most of his arguments. However, in order to facilitate a broad appreciation of Belzen's book, the focus is upon five areas in which critiques seem most appropriate. These five critiques are offered to engage Belzen in a dialogue concerning what is a significant book that raises important issues for the psychology of religion which has been admittedly blind to the cultural possibilities.

Keywords:

• cultural psychology
• spirituality
• mysticism
• qualitative
• electicism