Introduction.

Lance Christian Smith provides us with an article conceptualizing the constructs of spirituality and religion. While these are conveniently seen as separate, particularly in Western thought, the distinction between the two notions is delineated with the implications for philosophical understanding including implications for empirical research. He questions the merits of this split and offers a reconciliation of these distinctions similar to Wilber, using what is translatable and transforming leading to convergence and congruence.

Kelly Murray and Joe Ciarrocchi turn to a study of the dark side of religion where guilt and negative religiosity are seen as marks for life dissatisfaction. A research study is presented to demonstrate that a disconnection from God with spiritual struggle is connected to the experience of increased shame and guilt. These struggles led to increased congregational conflict and an increased negative affect and an overall decrease in subjective well being. Positive spiritual experiences promote religious devotion and predicted subjective well being. Spirituality, especially in struggles is related to overall well being and remains useful to pastoral psychology.

Islamic doctrine and practices are connected to processes found in ...