James

"‘Religion’ means the feelings, acts, and experiences of individuals men in their solitude, so far as they apprehend themselves to stand in relation to whatever they may consider the divine."

-William James

Of all the theorists that we have covered thus far, James' viewpoint rings the most true to me. I have always felt some reluctance in prescribing to any organized religion. This is due in part to my Catholic upbringing. Though my father was not a "strict" practicioner, I was aware of the belief that there is "NO salvation outside the Catholic church." This idea was always in the back of my mind as my mother was a practicing Protestant! As a young child I was deeply concered about the fate of her soul, and as I grew older I rejected the Catholic dogma. It was replaced by my feeling that if whatever belief system you follow helps you to be a better person then so be it. Reading James has help reaffirm my stance, and he has even helped me to reopen my mind toward followers of organized religion.