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Press ReleaseHealthy Religion: Psychologist, Educator, Clergyman Shares Keys to Personality and Religious BeliefsCLEVELAND, Aug. 30, 2006 -- With the news media's spotlight placed firmly on radical religious groups like the Taliban, the destructive qualities of religion have been hotly debated recently. Author Walter Kania, Ph.D., examines the root of unhealthy religious practices in America with his new book, Healthy Religion: A Psychological Guide to a Mature Faith (now available through AuthorHouse).In Healthy Religion, Kania explores the traits common in people exhibiting unhealthy religious practices. By identifying these traits, he shows readers the keys to a healthier religious practice and lifestyle. Kania's research also shows an inherent hypocrisy in America's religious right. "In the U.S., there is an unrelenting drive of the radical religious right to take control of the government, the courts and the system of education," he says. "The effort is under-girded by a fundamentalist and destructive belief system based on a literal and a distorted interpretation of the Bible. Its authoritarian, power-based efforts to impose its agenda onto others and onto the culture of the U.S. is a case-study and a prime example of unhealthy religion. It has more in common with the Islamic Taliban than with the teachings of its non-militant founder." Through psychological studies and research, Kania uncovers the characteristics of a healthy approach to religion. "Healthy Religion is a research-based document that provides you with the means of identifying what is healthy and what is unhealthy in both personality and in religion," he says. "Certain attributes of healthy personality development produce healthy and mature religion. Healthy religion reflects healthy personality traits." The grandson of Russian immigrants, Kania belonged to the Russian Orthodox Church. He attended Miami University in Ohio and Ohio State University before serving eight years in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot. He also served two years as youth director at local churches in Texas while he completed a Master of Divinity degree at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University where he taught a class titled "Survey of the Bible" in the Department of Religion. He also served as university pastor and director of the United Campus Ministry at Michigan State University. From early on he began to notice trends among those who practiced unhealthy religion. He completed doctoral studies at Michigan State, and then served as director of counseling and testing at Bethany College and professor of psychology at the Ohio State University. He launched a private practice after seven years on the Ohio State faculty. He is ordained in the United Church of Christ and in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He is an active speaker, writer, educator and consultant in the field. More information is available at http://www.healthyreligion.com. AuthorHouse is the premier publishing house for emerging authors and new voices in literature. For more information, please visit http://www.authorhouse.com. EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact: Promotional Services Department Tel: 888-728-8467 Fax: 812-961-3133 Email: pressreleases@authorhouse.com (When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.) |
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